Wayne Pivac, the Wales head coach, has launched a strong defence of the national side’s medical staff following criticism after prop Tomas Francis appeared to suffer a concussion against England two weeks ago.
Francis appeared dazed and seemed to use the post for support to get to his feet following a clash of heads with team-mate Owen Watkin in the first half, before later leaving the field for a head injury assessment which he passed. Francis then returned to the field before being replaced in the second half by Leon Brown. Pivac also addressed Josh Adams, who went off for an HIA late on following a tackle from England’s Joe Marchant.
“I just want to point out that we have got a very, very experienced medical team who we think are world class,” Pivac said. “They are experts in their field. In relation to both Tomas Francis and also Josh Adams, both of those players have been seen by our medical team.
“The follow-up protocols they go through post the match, their return-to-play protocols are quite clearly set by World Rugby. Those have been followed.”
Professor John Fairclough, a leading surgeon who has previously worked with the Welsh Rugby Union, said it would be “a grave mistake” if Francis was selected to face France. Explaining the added steps that had been taken for Francis, Pivac added that Wales had brought in an independent concussion specialist to assess the player, on top of the World Rugby protocols.
“He has the history of the player, he has had a look at the footage of the match and he has also been taken through the protocols that have been followed,” Pivac explained.
“He is supportive of the fact that the player has been cleared to be selected and on that basis, and in consultation with the player, we have decided to select Francis.”
Regarding the on-field treatment Francis received at Twickenham, Pivac added that he would not comment further while the Six Nations review was ongoing.
In team news, Wales have made four changes from the defeat at Twickenham, including two in the back row. Josh Navidi makes a welcome return at openside flanker, with Seb Davies, used in the past by Wales at lock, selected at blindside flanker.
Prop Gareth Thomas earns a start at loosehead ahead of Wyn Jones, while in midfield Nick Tompkins has been ruled out due to a concussion picked up playing in Saracens’ win over Leicester last weekend, when Tompkins was superb and named player of the match. Jonathan Davies, the Test centurion, comes into the starting XV in Tompkins’ place.
Ross Moriarty, replaced by Davies, is named on the bench along with Louis Rees-Zammit, after the Gloucester wing was left out of the Wales’ side to face England two weeks ago. Taine Basham, who has been replaced by Navidi, drops out of the matchday 23 entirely despite being one of Wales’ better players this season.
Regarding the loss of Tompkins, who has been in excellent form, Pivac added: “It’s part and parcel if you do play in the English Premiership, you don’t have the opportunity to have a break during the competition. The club, rightly so with the form he is in from their point of view, put him out there and unfortunately he picked up a bump.”
