A Worcester Warriors rugby player has been arrested following an assault in which police say a woman was punched in the face, knocking her unconscious and breaking her nose.

Back-row forward Jake Abbott, who signed a new contract with the club on Friday, was held by police after they were alerted to trouble at a taxi rank in The Cross, Worcester, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The 24-year-old player was arrested on suspicion of occasioning actual bodily harm on the woman, a 32-year-old mother of three.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “I can confirm there was an altercation between two women in the taxi queue at The Cross at about 4am on Sunday morning.

“It resulted in a man punching one of the women in the face and breaking her nose. She was treated at the scene by paramedics.

“Officers attended the incident and a man in his 20s was arrested for ABH (assault occasioning actual bodily harm), questioned and released later on Sunday pending further inquiries.”

It is understood the victim had been out with a friend and her partner and had gone to buy a burger when it happened.

She is said to be shaken up and was going to see a doctor for a check-up. It is thought the trouble started over an argument about the queue.

A spokesman for the Warriors said: “Officials at Worcester Warriors have today met with the player in relation to an alleged incident in the city centre on Sunday morning.

“The player has co-operated fully with police enquiries and the club remains supportive of him.

“The club will make no further comment until the conclusion of this matter.”