Hooker finds tooth in head

A rugby league player had an unwanted souvenir from a recent Super League clash - an opponent's tooth.

10:44 29 April 2004

A rugby league player had an unwanted souvenir from a recent Super League clash - an opponent's tooth.

Widnes Viking Shane Millard was involved in a clash with Castleford Tigers' Dean Ripley in the first half of the clash between the two sides.

The Australian hooker received a head wound and was forced to be strapped up by the club's doctor at half-time, but trotted back out for the second half undeterred.

It was only after the match had finished that Widnes' physio found out what had caused the wound - a part of Ripley's tooth that had been embedded in Millard's head.

With concerns raised about possible infection, Millard was sent to hospital where he had the tooth removed under anaesthetic.

"I was given a local anaesthetic and then they blasted a tooth out with three packs of saline solution," Millard told the Guardian newspaper.

"The tooth came out just as the anaesthetic was wearing off.

"I've had a few injuries in my time but this is certainly the strangest. But I'd rather have a gash on my head than lose a part of a tooth. At least I keep my good looks."