“I’m sorry, that was probably misinterpreted” – Andy Farrell attempts to clear up concussion fog

"Nash and Frawley are both on track to be up for selection this weekend." - Simon Easterby, March 12th

Go to an Ireland press conference and you may hear of bumps, bruises and knocks. Farrell is not the first coach to speak of players who have gone of for Head Injury Assessments being 'up and chatting away' in the changing room. Joe Schmidt did the same. "He's in good spirits". They are trying to be helpful when, in reality, they know almost as little as the reporters asking the questions.

HIAs and Return To Play protocols are the best World Rugby, and the medical experts that advises them, have come up with, for now. There are alterations and revisions to the RTP protocols that have largely been in place in 2011 (there were previous versions). In 2022, for example, the stand-down period for a player who has a concussion history was increased to 12 days.

This seems to have been the case with Ciáran Frawley. The versatile Leinster back was sparked during the second half of Ireland's 23-22 loss to England, last weekend. The Ireland coaching staff were aware of Frawley looking out of sorts and a message got down to the field. There was a break in play after England scored a try through Tommy Freeman and Frawley was replaced by Conor Murray.

Frawley was released back to his province, earlier this week, but we had Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby helping no-one when he offered the following Tuesday update to reporters:

"Nash [Calvin Nash] and Frawls have to go through the process and return to contact and then the return-to-play part of that is making sure they don’t have symptoms. Those symptoms would put them back a day, but they are both on track to be up for selection this weekend."

Nash was pictured at Tuesday's training session but Frawley was back with Leinster. Only Easterby could tell you what he was thinking or if he botched the brief. Whatever happened, it was not helpful. Well-intentioned headlines and reports highlighted a double injury boost as both players were 'on track' for Scotland.

This muddled concussion message led to Andy Farrell having to apologise and clear up matters, with thanks to some decent questioning, on Thursday. Asked if Frawley missing out on the match-day 23 'was a selection call', Farrell replied:

"No. Ciáran Frawley went back to Leinster pretty early doors [this week]. He was on a  12-day turnaround. I’m sorry, that was probably misinterpreted at the beginning of the week so, that’s the case with him."

As much as it can be frustrating for reporters to get clear answers from team managers and coaches about the health and well-being of players, there are some understandable reasons around it. On concussion matters, though, as much clarity possible is needed.

Andy Farrell on Calvin Nash

Sticking with the theme of concussion, Andy Farrell took a fair few questions on whether Calvin Nash was absolutely in the clear to play after he was on the receiving end when going in for a tackle, against England, left the field and failed his HIA 1 assessment.

Asked if he had a message for those that may be concerned Nash is playing again, seven days after his concussive blow, Farrell said, "I would understand, but if you’re in the inner circle and you understand the process that these players have to go through now, you would thoroughly back that process.

"One, he has gone through it with flying colours and he never looked like failing for one second. And two, the process, I think is very sound. Accumulating a few days of getting to the next stage, passing them with flying colours, and having a conversation, an interview, a wellness type appointment with an independent doctor, today [Thursday], and there have been no issues there. So, all is good to go."

"Calvin passed the three stages that he had to go," Farrell added. "He trained fully [Wednesday] without doing contact within the session but had to do contact after the session. Passed that with flying colours, no problem whatsoever. He had to see an independent doctor – if it’s a seven-day turnaround you have to do that – and he passed that with flying colours as well."

Pressed on whether, at any stage of the week, he might have considered pulling Nash from the upcoming fray, Farrell responded, "Well, you’ve got to trust the process and what you have been told and what you’re seeing daily as well.

"I mean, we have got experts in that field who have been through a lot in this regard over the last few years themselves, you know? So, you trust the experts on this."

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