Scotland's Jones on the mend
Scotland wing Lee Jones was making “good progress” following the head injury that forced him off the field against Ireland, team doctor James Robson said Sunday.
The 23-year-old Edinburgh back was carried off on a stretcher in the 62nd minute of Ireland’s 32-14 Six Nations victory at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday following a sickening clash of heads with Irish counterpart Andrew Trimble.
Jones received several minutes of on-field attention before spending the night in hospital and is now set to return to Scotland on Monday.
“Lee took a blow to the head which resulted in a severe concussion,” Robson said in a Scottish Rugby Union statement issued Sunday.
“He remained in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, overnight in the care of consultant John Ryan.
“He has made good progress overnight and will stay in hospital this [Sunday] morning until the consultant is happy for him to be released. He is scheduled to travel back to Scotland tomorrow [Monday].
“We would like to thank John and his team for the expert help given to us.”
Jones, who was winning his fourth cap, is now set to be a major doubt for Scotland’s Six Nations finale against fellow strugglers Italy in Rome this coming Saturday where they will attempt to end a run of six successive Test defeats and avoid the ‘wooden spoon’.
Four other players are also set for ongoing medical attention.
Two of those did not finish the match in Dublin, with scrum-half Mike Blair (shoulder) replaced by Chris Cusiter while centre Max Evans (dead leg) was in the sin-bin during the closing stages.
Meanwhile back row forwards David Denton (shin bruising) and John Barclay (ribs) will need treatment as well, with Robson adding several other players had “lesser soft-tissue injuries”.
Scotland coach Andy Robinson is due to name his team to play Italy on Wednesday.
AFP
