RWC 15: Three head injuries in 10 months not a problem, says Conor Murray

Conor Murray has stated that none of the three supposed concussions he has sustained in the past ten months were serious head traumas. The Ireland scrumhalf, who has been passed fit to play Canada on Saturday in Ireland’s opening Pool D fixture, was forced off the field at Twickenham 12 days ago when his head caught the calf of England prop Joe Marler.

Despite passing the Head Injury Assessment, the independent doctor at pitch side watched a replay of the incident and felt it prudent not to allow him return to the game.

“The replay showed I was still for three or four seconds so it was decided not to risk it,” Murray explained. “I did my return to play protocols and feel great and trained fully this week and parts of last week.

“Same thing happened in my last concussion against Australia [in November 2014], it was the replay with Quade Cooper after his knee collided with my head. It was fine, I just continued on, but they saw the bang and felt it was too much to risk.

“It was said I had three in the last few months but that included a bang on the neck. I did a concussion test but there was none. I am ready to go.”

A HIA doesn’t necessarily mean a concussion. Worth clearing up.

“You have to wait as there is a possibility of a delayed onset of concussion,” Murray did add. “At the time I had a fair idea that I got an unlucky bang. I was okay after, it was just precaution but you have to respect that as well. We are all very well educated on how serious concussion is nowadays and the spotlight that is put on it. I have no issue coming off like that. It was the right call. If I stayed on and got another bang it could have been worse so we do have to take these measures. Every player is aware of it.”