Bath's cautious approach to Sam Underhill's concussion shows how rugby union has woken up to the problem
The steps being taken to treat the England flanker are a move in the right direction
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Your support makes all the difference.As the euphoria of one of Bath’s great European victories still hung in the air, director of rugby Todd Blackadder struck a more serious tone when discussing ongoing concerns over Sam Underhill’s latest concussion.
The young England flanker missed Saturday night’s magnificent 26-21 triumph over Toulon which catapulted them to the top of Pool Five, as his replacement Francois Louw excelled in his absence and England flyer Anthony Watson delivered two metaphorical knockout blows to the French giants.
But it is the literal concussions – or traumatic brain injuries as they are described when sustained away from a professional sporting arena – suffered by his young charge Underhill in recent weeks which concern Blackadder, whose own experience of nursing Canterbury Crusaders’ Richie McCaw and Kieran Read through their own long-standing head injury problems is helping inform the care being afforded the 21-year-old.
He suffered his first diagnosed concussion in September after making an astonishing 23 tackles against Northampton before another head injury against Australia in November has stopped his season in its tracks.
“Sam is still really symptomatic,” said Blackadder, the former Crusaders head coach. “On Tuesday he still had symptoms of what happened to him playing for England. It is one of those really frustrating ones. We want him out there as soon as we can but when a player has got the symptoms that he’s had it puts it back another week. Hopefully he will be in contention for next week.
“I have had these things with Kieran Read and Richie McCaw. It is really quite similar. You have to trust the process and that the specialists will make the right calls. We would never put a player in danger, you just have to wait and see. Hopefully we cross our fingers and he comes right. The real goal would be to get 80 minutes. I think he has only completed one so far this season. That is a goal in itself.”
With awareness about the possible long-term consequences of multiple head injuries raised significantly in recent years, Bath’s cautious approach towards Underhill is further proof a sport which registers more concussions than any other injury at a professional level has finally woken up to the importance of managing the injury with caution.
Blackadder, who won 12 caps for the All Blacks between 1995 and 2000, played in an era when rugby players considered head injuries a badge of honour.
“I don’t think we knew what it (concussion) was when I was playing,” he said. “Everyone has suffered concussions and head knocks but you wouldn’t want to give up your jersey. Player safety these days it is really important we get it right. Even for the players it can create an anxiety for them. They have to think about their careers and what happens if it all finishes now.”
On the field Watson, who has suffered his own share of concussions in the past, took a quantum leap forward with his hopes of becoming Six Nations England’s full back with a world-class display in front of the watching Eddie Jones at the Rec.
Bath moved to the top of Pool 5 with their 26-21 win in front of 14,422 fans, becoming the first English team to win a European Champions Cup game in 10 attempts in the process, but it was Watson’s display in the No15 shirt along with hooker Tom Dunn which will have pleased Jones in the stands.
Watson’s two first-half tries, both coming courtesy of Watson’s scintillating pace and jack-knifing running style, bore all the hallmarks of a top-class international full back when coupled with a solid defensive display and some assured work under the high ball.
Mike Brown has been an almost ever present under Jones when fit but at 32 is approaching the twilight of his career. Watson, 23, would offer a greater attacking threat at 15 while allowing Jones to pick two wingers from Elliot Daly, Jack Nowell or Jonny May.
“I do prefer playing full back,” Watson said. “The important thing is that I keep on improving because that’s what Eddie is all about. Those back three positions are interchangeable and I’ll play wherever Eddie wants me to play.”
Bath’s victory leaves them in a strong position to qualify for the final stages with games against Scarlets and Benetton Treviso to come.
They were helped in no small part by an extraordinarily careless display by Toulon’s experienced international fly-half Francois Trinh Duc, whose game disintegrated in the second half.
Bath did not care one jot. With Watson at the back and Louw leading the charge along with the relentless Dunn, Blackadder’s men gained revenge for the last-gasp defeat suffered at the Stade Felix Mayol seven days earlier.
They are now masters of their own destiny. It is a nice place to be.
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