The Munster centre went off for a Head Injury Assessment after the collision but did not return to the game.
Sam Arnold was rightly rewarded for his form over the past 15 months by getting a call-up to the Ireland squad. The former Ulster centre has settled in nicely in Limerick after a bumpy start, due to injury niggles.
Joe Schmidt included Arnold in his 42-man squad for the Guinness Series and the trip to Chicago to play Italy at Soldier Field. With Schmidt expected to rest several stars ahead of the games against Argentina and New Zealand, in Dublin, Arnold was in line for his Ireland debut next weekend.
That may still come to pass but Arnold will now have to go through Return To Play protocols after shipping a ferocious blow when trying to stick a tackle in Munster’s Guinness PRO14 win over Glasgow Warriors.
Arnold had carried will in the first half of a frantic game, and made one nice turnover, but was guilty of a couple of missed tackles. He rushed out of the line and missed the hit to leave Munster vulnerable. George Horne made them pay with his second try of the game, seconds later.
Arnold got back in the line and, as Glasgow piled forward again, attempted to stop replacement back Stafford McDowall in his tracks.
His technique was off – dipping in head first – and he was given a fearful shunt by McDowall, who ploughed on before being brought down by John Ryan.
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Arnold was looked at by Munster medics on the pitch and referee Dan Jones was told he had suffered a “stinger” injury (numbness) to the shoulder. As the impact looked serious, he was removed for a HIA and replaced by Alex Wootton.
As the second half got underway, it was confirmed Arnold would play no further part in the match. He will have to follow all the RTP protocols over the coming days and it leaves Ireland with a dilemma.
Arnold could well fly out to Chicago with the rest of the squad, on Monday, but he would not be permitted to take any contact until he has satisfied medics that there are no lingering symptoms from that heavy blow. It would mean he would have to sit out the crucial training runs early in the week.
His Ireland debut may yet be delayed but there are three further chances to line out in green during the Guinness Series, back in Dublin, next month.
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