Former Wales Dragonhearts rugby league international Scott Bessant has sadly died in hospital of complications from pneumonia, aged just 37.

Pontypool-born, he was a keen rugby player from school, starting in the union code and playing for Pill Harriers before signing for Pontypool in 2006.

He started playing rugby league for Newport Titans RLFC a year after that and helped to lead his club to the 2007 Welsh Grand Final, which they lost 24-18 to Bridgend Blue Bulls.

In 2008 he won the first of his six Wales Dragonhearts caps, scoring a try in the 62-20 win over Scotland Bravehearts in Glasgow. He followed that up with another try in the 32-24 win over Ireland Wolfhounds in Porthcawl to help lead Wales’ community international side to win the Four Nations Championship.

Following his performances with Newport, where he was top try scorer in the 2008 season, and the Dragonhearts, he was given an opportunity to trial with Celtic Crusaders for their Super League side in 2009. However he was unable to attend after contracting salmonella on holiday.

Instead, he moved to Torfaen Tigers RLFC, before turning to rugby league coaching as a 30-year old, taking charge of Newport initially and then Torfaen.

Then in the early hours of August 13th 2017, Scott was found unconscious. It was later diagnosed that he had multiple fractures to his skull, a fractured neck, broken ribs, a fractured pelvis, and since then he has had multiple strokes. He was left permanently brain damaged and after a long period of time in hospital, he was living in a care home.

For over 950 days, Scott’s parents, Howard and Jackie, didn’t missed a day in visiting their son, until everything went on lockdown. Scott was due to eventually live with his sister Rachael, whose home was in the process of being adapted for his complex needs.

There was an initial scare in April when it was thought Scott had contracted COVID-19 but last week, he went down with pneumonia and sadly lost his battle on the morning of Thursday 25th June.

Scott leaves behind his parents Howard and Jackie, son Cailan, daughter Eloise, sisters Sian, Rachael and Naomi, brothers Gavin and Dwain, nephews Ryan and Oliver, brother in law Neil and future brother in law Owain.

Everyone at Wales Rugby League sends their sincere condolences to Scott’s family and his multitude of friends.

RIP Scott Bessant 11/06/1983 – 25/06/2020.