What's 'far more concerning' about the Tomas Francis' concussion incident
Progressive Rugby have pointed out what they see as the most concerning aspect of the Tomas Francis concussion incident during the Six Nations – and it’s not that his onfield concussion symptoms were missed.
This week a Six Nations review found that Francis should have been “immediately and permanently removed” from the field during last month’s Guinness Six Nations match with England, a review panel has concluded.
Francis suffered a head injury midway through the first half of his country’s 23-19 defeat at Twickenham on February 26.
Television footage showed the 29-year-old staggering near his own try line following a clash with team-mate Owen Watkin, while he appeared to require the pads of the posts to hold himself up after getting back to his feet.
He was subsequently taken off the pitch for assessment by an independent match-day doctor and, having been deemed fit to continue, played until the 56th minute.
While the head injury review panel judged that Ospreys player Francis should not have been permitted to return under World Rugby guidelines, no disciplinary action will be taken against those involved.
Six Nations Rugby said it would work in collaboration with its unions and the governing body to mitigate the risk of a similar incident.
The HIA (head injury assessment) review panel concluded that in this instance one or more “Criteria 1” indications had been present that should have resulted in Francis being immediately and permanently removed from play,” read a statement released by the Six Nations.
“As part of the review process, the panel found that a number of factors appeared to have contributed to the failure to identify these indications that ultimately led to Francis not being removed from the field of play.
“The panel highlighted that it had the benefit of time for review of the video footage and the other materials at length, without any match-day pressure, and also had access to more camera angles and clips than the match-day medical team.
“The HIA review panel made no recommendations in respect of disciplinary action against those involved in the relevant incident, and Six Nations Rugby Limited will not be taking any subsequent disciplinary action.”
The majority of recommendations included in the review findings already form part of World Rugby guidelines.
However, the panel suggested “appropriate minimum standards for the size of screen(s) and number of screen(s) available pitch-side for video footage review should be set by the relevant competition or tournament organiser.”
Progressive Rugby however have said that the bigger issue with the incident is the fact that the HIA process failed to pick up an obvious concussion.
The investigation by Six Nations gave journalists what they wanted – an admission – but in truth this conclusion was never in doubt.
It would have taken a brave panel to deny what thousands of viewers had seen for themselves – Francis struggling to get up, moving unsteadily on his feet, appearing to use the post to support himself and then grabbing his head when play finally stopped.
But it’s actually what followed this distressing footage and initial failing to remove Francis immediately that is far more concerning.
The fact is that Francis then not only wrongly underwent a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), but worse still he passed it and was thus allowed to return to the field with brain injury.
An acknowledgement that Francis was concussed is, by definition, an equal acknowledgement that the HIA failed to identify an obviously concussion. The protocol failed to do the one critical job it is relied on to do.
If the 12-minute test (it actually usually takes about 7 minutes) can’t identify an obvious concussion, then how many less evident cases is it missing?
How many players are returning to the field with a brain injury and putting their short and long-term health at risk?
And if that’s a concern, which it absolutely has to be given the findings, then where is the recommendation for an urgent review of the HIA protocol?
There is almost no evidence an elite rugby player’s brain is any less delicate or susceptible to trauma than those of us who turn out for our local club side.
And while we all like to think we play at the same intensity as the All Blacks, the truth is the physical collisions at the top end are colossal and unrelenting.
Just one more reason why it makes no sense that community rugby has a 19-day minimum stand down following concussion, but under the six-stage Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) elite players can, and do, return in just six days.
So, in our view this review is another golden opportunity missed.
If a system that returns players to the pitch with brain injury isn’t ringing alarm bells, the level of scenario that will is becoming increasingly frightening.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said the actions of its medical team were “entirely appropriate” while reaffirming its commitment to player welfare.
If you care about rugby.
Take TWO minutes to read why the Tomas Francis affair IS a BIG deal.
And should make you question WHY a system that allowed a player to return to the pitch with a brain injury isn’t ringing alarm bells.https://t.co/26XJ1BKVzP pic.twitter.com/93wtZeL4sJ
— Progressive Rugby (@ProgressiveRug) March 27, 2022
“The head injury assessment (HIA) is an extremely important protocol,” read a WRU statement. “We do not – and will not – compromise on player welfare.
“We note the Six Nations HIA review process findings and cooperated fully with the review undertaken by Six Nations.
“Our medical personnel are very experienced and we completely support all of their actions during the England v Wales Guinness Six Nations match, which were entirely appropriate and in accordance with all the relevant protocols.
“They were unsighted to the incident involving Tomas Francis in real time and, as had been agreed prior to the match, Francis was removed from the field of play to undertake his HIA with the independent match-day doctor.
“We are committed to continuing to work with Six Nations, World Rugby and other unions in respect of these matters.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments