Monday 16 January 2017 19:22, UK
Will Greenwood has defended rugby's medical protocols after Munster became the latest club to face an investigation over their handling of a suspected head injury involving Conor Murray.
During Munster’s 14-12 win at Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, the Irish international scrum-half was shown lying prone on the ground after suffering a blow to the head as he attempted to tackle Tim Swinson in the 63rd minute.
Murray was initially allowed to play on after the incident before being taken off for a head injury assessment in the 65th minute. He was then passed fit to continue by Munster’s medical staff and returned in the 71st minute to finish the game.
European Professional Club Rugby is looking into the incident with the RFU’s Simon Kemp, who also serves as chairman of the EPCR’s Medical Advisory Group, tasked with putting together an independent working group to investigate the matter.
Munster have been asked to provide an account of the club’s actions including a time-line of how the events unfolded.
EPCR is also looking into the possibility of having independent match-day doctors from the quarter-finals onwards but Greenwood believes it is unfair to doubt the impartiality of club medical staff.
Greenwood told Sky Sports News HQ: “Do you think a doctor is going to put a player back out on the field because a coach is telling to in 2017 with everything going on?
“They take a Hippocratic oath which makes sure you have the patient’s wellbeing at your very core.
“Historical mistakes have meant that this comes under the spotlight and it is right to put it under the spotlight.
“But I genuinely believe as a rugby man now that everything is being done for the health and safety of players to make sure no one is being put into a position whereby further damage can take place.”
The issue of concussed players being allowed to continue playing has been a prominent one this season with Wales and Northampton winger George North the most high-profile example.
World Rugby admonished Northampton over their handling of North when he was allowed to play on despite apparently being knocked unconscious during a December 3 game against Leicester.
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