Bayonne’s Carrillo’s condition improving

BAYONNE - Agence France-Presse

François Carrilo was hospitalized after a health problem during a match against Marsan. His club Bayonne says his condition is getting better.

Bayonne back row forward François Carrillo’s condition was improving yesterday after he was hospitalized following what appeared to be a heart problem in the warm-up before Dec. 22’s Top 14 match with Mont-de-Marsan.

The 24-year-old - who is a squad member and rarely first choice - collapsed after taking the ball at a line out a few minutes before the end of the warm-up session, an AFP journalist witnessed. A heart specialist team gave Carrillo cardiac massage before the player was taken to hospital.

However, a hospital source told the club yesterday that having been placed on a respirator on Dec. 22 night, the player had awoken yesterday and had been able to converse with his family as well as receiving a visit from the Bayonne team doctor.

According to the club, doctors said Carrillo will not suffer any after effects although the illness had yet to be diagnosed and that further examination would continue. The same medical sources were unable to say how long the player would have to stay in hospital. Carrillo’s team-mate and fellow backrow forward Guillaume Bernad, who scored one of Bayonne’s tries in their 39-13 humbling of Top 14 tailenders Mont-de-Marsan, said that the team had dedicated their victory to him.