Ireland v France: Head injuries keeps doctors on the sideline busy

“Recognise and remove” is the tagline adopted by World Rugby

in their attempt to tackle the issue of concussion. Last week there were six incidents that required head injury assessments (HIA) in the four matches attended by this reporter.

On Sunday a player in Clongowes Wood versus St Michael's College was recognised by many but not removed. The Blackrock College lock Dan Mullane was recognised and removed in their defeat to Cistercians College, Roscrea on Wednesday.

Ireland winger Hannah Tyrrell was concussed at training and removed from the line-up to play France on Friday.

Three HIA’s took place at the Aviva stadium on Saturday evening. Two passed, one failed.

On 10 minutes Wesley Fofana, after being tackled by Robbie Henshaw, received treatment but played on until the 16th minute. Fofana returned to the field on 22 minutes.

Early in the second half France fullback Scott Spedding took a blow to the head. The South African, dismissing attempts by the doctor to treat him, wandered over to the left wing. Clearly disorientated, he was eventually guided down the tunnel.

Came back

“Wesley Fofana didn’t have concussion so he came back,” said France coach Philippe Saint-André. “Scott didn’t come back to the pitch after concussion protocols.”

So the HIA worked?

“In our side, yes. I don’t know about the Irish side. One was perfect and came back, Scott didn’t come back. The health of the player is more important than anything.”

Jonathan Sexton sustained three head clashes with Mathieu Bastareaud.

The first resulted in Toulon's freight train being held up and conceding a scrum, the second on 44 minutes resulted in 12 stitches, six for each man. While being stitched, Sexton also underwent a HIA with Dr Eanna Falvey, which he passed.

Bastareaud returned to the field seven minutes later. Sexton took 10 minutes. "The medics talk to Johnny and they let me know that Johnny's fine, but that he's got blood and has to leave the field," Joe Schmidt explained. "So he then has 15 minutes before he has to be back on the pitch. He needed stitches and he got those in. He did a HIA to be absolutely, 100 percent sure and he was showing no signs of concussion, but they did it as a precaution and he was absolutely fine."

Schmidt was asked if he considered taking Sexton off when the third collision required further, albeit minor, treatment due to blood flowing from the initial wound.

“No,” he replied.

“If I can say it any more plainly, that Johnny is fine and we take the very best medical and professional advice on our players. We have absolute faith in our medical people, we rely on them and not someone external who decides that they’re going to voice an opinion and then be given a platform to voice it that almost scaremonger their way through the concussion issue.”

Schmidt was referring to Laurent Bénézech, the former French international and author of book 'Rugby, où sont tes valeurs?' ('Rugby, where are your values'), who told The Irish Times on Friday that it was a mistake to start the 29-year-old after 12 weeks recovering from concussion.

Bénézech took a sterner line on Newstalk later that day. The IRFU subsequently released a statement defending the outhalf’s selection.

Sexton is expected to start for Racing Metro 92 against ASM Clermont Auvergne this weekend.