Rugby League: NRL mourns death of young Manly Sea Eagles prospect Keith Titmuss

The NRL is mourning the sudden death of talented young Manly Sea Eagles prospect Keith Titmuss.

The 20-year-old rising star took ill after a training session on Monday, before being transported to a local hospital.

Titmuss tragically died a short time later.

The promising forward was expected to break into Manly's first grade squad in 2021, after three years starring in the junior and reserve grades. 

Titmuss scored the Sea Eagles' winning try in the 2017 U20 NYC Grand Final and was named the 2019 Jersey Flegg Cup Players' Player.

Coach Des Hasler says the news has devastated the entire club.

"Keith was a very popular character amongst the playing group," Hasler says. "He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten by the Sea Eagles."

Nine's rugby league reporter Danny Weidler says Titmuss started to experience severe body cramps as the session came to an end.

"He was a genuine rising star of the game," Weidler tweets. "Experienced what has been described to me by club officials as a 'body cramp' whilst stretching after session.

"Doctor treated him at training and taken by ambulance to hospital. Thoughts are with his family."

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has echoed Hasler's thoughts, before offering total support for Titmuss' family.

"This is a tragic day for rugby league," he says. "The game has lost a promising young player with the world at his feet.

"Keith had made it into Manly’s top 30 for the 2021 season, after coming through the club’s junior ranks.

"We will make sure Keith’s family, the club and our players receive every support they need from the game. 

"We are one family and today we have lost a member of that family. On behalf of the Commission and the game, I send my deepest condolences to Keith’s family."