England U20 were beaten 6-0 by Italy in the second round of the U20 Six Nations Championship in Treviso.
The game was somewhat marred by an ugly incident late on as the English medical team tried to make a player stay on despite the independent Doctor demanding a HIA following a significant head knock.
Brilliantly summed up by a thread from Rugby World writer Sam Larner, England legend Steve Thompson was shocked at what had gone on. Check out the full thread here.
Thompson wrote: “Sam this thread is so well done. Thank you. We just want players to be looked after by those who’s job it is to do so. The ref was brilliant in this situation.”
The 2003 World Cup-winner has pledged to donate his brain as part of a new initiative backed by the Jeff Astle Foundation.
Thompson—who cannot remember playing in the final final win over Australia —revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 42.
He is part of a group of players currently suing the Rugby Football Union for negligence following a career that came part and parcel with frequent head injuries at games and in training.
The incident in question saw Italy put a high ball up before there is contact in the air which is deemed fair by the referee with the England player left spurld out on the floor.
The English Doctor says that he has assessed him and he doesn’t need a HIA. The referee says that we have an independent match doctor making the call.
The English Doctor unhelpfully responded: “I am a Doctor though” before finally accepting her decision.
It must be said that referee Aurelie Groizeleau deserves enormous credit for just taking the appropriate action under the unreasonable pressure from the English medical team.
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Fans Voted For Rugby’s All-Time Greatest XV And The Results Are Mad
No active player manages to make it and there is also no spot for Dan Carter – the top international point scorer of all-time.
Check out the entire voting below:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Serge Blanco (France)
- 14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
- 11. David Campese (Australia)
Did you know? In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest, finishing second in two categories
Honourable mentions: Bryan Habana (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), JPR Williams (Wales)
CENTRES:
- 13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
- 12. Tim Horan (Australia)
Did you know? O’Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships.
Honourable mentions: Jeremy Guscott (England), Will Greenwood (England), Frank Bunce (New Zealand), Phillipe Sella (France), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), Brian Lima (Samoa)