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Fly-half Rhys Patchell will be assessed ahead of Wales’ World Cup departure on Wednesday after he was concussed during their final warm-up game.
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The Scarlets number 10 suffered a third concussion in 12 months during Wales’ 19-10 defeat against Ireland in Dublin.
He went off midway through the first half following an attempted tackle on Ireland back-row forward CJ Stander.
It was Patchell’s first Test start since June last year when he starred with a 20-point haul against Argentina in Santa Fe.
He is one of two fly-halves in Wales head coach Warren Gatland’s 31-man squad for Japan, having edged out Jarrod Evans to secure a place alongside Dan Biggar.
Speaking following the Aviva Stadium encounter, Gatland said: “We’ll talk to the medics and see how he feels over the next few days.
“He will be assessed over the next few days. We will see how he comes out of the next couple of days.”
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GAME DAY IN DUBLIN ? We had one last stop-off before #RWC2019. Ciplun o ddydd Sadwrn yn Iwerddon. pic.twitter.com/GYdAUHUxM6
— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) September 8, 2019
Asked if he felt that Patchell deserved some luck following last season’s troubles – he was concussed on two separate occasions and suffered a hamstring injury – Gatland added: “Yes he does. He’s gone a little bit low where he has probably got that knock.
“The ironic thing with World Rugby is they are keeping the tackles down, but most concussions come from the tackler going low and hitting knees and hips.
“It’s one aspect we need to continue to work on for the defensive player as well.”
World Rugby’s guidance document on recurrent or multiple concussions states: “Players with a history of two or more concussions within the past year are at greater risk of further brain injury and slower recovery, and should seek medical attention from practitioners experienced in concussion management before return to play.
“In addition, a history of multiple concussions or players with unusual presentations or prolonged recovery should be assessed and managed by health care providers with experience in sports-related concussions.”
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Wales’ opening World Cup game is against Georgia on September 23, prior to which they have a week-long training camp in the southern Japanese city of Kitakyushu.
Patchell’s latest concussion came as Wales suffered a third defeat of their four-game preparation schedule.
“Ireland went back to what they’re really good at” #IREvWAL https://t.co/8BeDATLqow
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 7, 2019
Reflecting on the past month, Gatland said: “We’ve tried to go out there and be positive in the way we play. I am generally pretty pleased.
“You hold a little bit back and you work on a few things. That’s important.
“These are warm-up games, not a Six Nations game, and we’ve got these under our belt and tried some combinations.”
Wales hooker Elliot Dee added: “We have played some good rugby over the last 18 months, and we are really excited to get out there to Japan and show what we can do.
“We have talked about it for a long time now. It’s been a brilliant journey so far, and we have got to go out there and perform now.
“This squad has shown what it can do over the last two years. Everyone works incredibly hard, and we are looking to work as hard as we can and get as far as we can.”
Warren Gatland on why Wales can win the World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments