The Glasgow Warriors player, who travelled to Glasgow by air yesterday, praised the staff of the hospital as well as those on duty at the Millennium Stadium on the day of the match.

He said: “The care I received in Cardiff was outstanding and I owe a great debt of gratitude to my main surgeon Sashin Ahuja and neuro surgeon John Martin who accompanied me in the ambulance and who was present during my first operation.

“I cannot thank enough the Scotland team doctor, James Robson, physiotherapist Lisa Casey and WRU doctor Mike Fardy for their extreme professionalism whilst on the Millennium Stadium pitch.

“I have been amazed and moved by the many many messages of support from well-wishers inside and outside the rugby world who have taken the time to send me and my family their best wishes.”

Ahuja, a spinal surgery consultant, commended the Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union medical teams for the high standard of care Thom received on the pitch.

“I was watching the game and could see the medical care provided on the pitch was excellent,” Ahuja said.

“Thom was admitted with a very unstable injury to his neck. He was scanned and operated on within hours of admission.

“The first operation was critical to protect the spinal cord as the vertebra had slipped.

“This was performed on the Saturday night and was successful with Thom showing immediate signs of recovery.”

Ahuja continued: “After the second operation, Thom now feels that he can begin his recovery in earnest.

“He will be in a collar for at least six weeks to allow the soft tissue to heal and his care has been transferred to a hospital in Glasgow for outpatient and rehabilitation treatment.

“On behalf of all the staff involved in caring for Thom, we wish him all the best in the future.”

Scotland team doctor Robson added: “We have witnessed the rugby and medical families acting as one to ensure Thom has received the very best of treatment, just as Chris Paterson did in the aftermath of his kidney injury and we are most grateful.”