Ansbro suffers broken neck

London Irish and Scotland centre Joe Ansbro is recovering in University Hospital, Cork after suffering a broken neck against Munster on Friday night.

Ansbro was injured during the pre-season tour match and remains in Cork. He will return to the UK later this week.

“Joe broke a small bone at the top of his neck early in the game’s second half,” read a statement released by London Irish.

“After An MRI scan, it was confirmed that immediate surgery was not required, and the injury would be managed by external fixation.”

Ansbro has won 11 caps after making his debut against South Africa in 2010, scoring three tries.

Born in Glasgow, he joined London Irish last summer after beginning his club career at Northampton.

Ansbro’s father Paul said there was nothing malicious behind the injury and was relieved his son escaped more serious damage.

“He’s got a triple fracture of the C1 vertebrae at the top of his spine,” he said. They’ve put a metal halo on his head that’s got to be in place 24/7 for three months.

“They did a CAT scan and an MRI scan and they’ve had a neurosurgeon looking after him. He was really lucky that it was what they call a stable fracture and there’s no nerve damage. That was the thing they were most concerned about; Joe’s still got movement in his hands and feet.

“Your blood runs cold when you hear about it and it’s something that every parent worries about. It’s a fantastic, rough game and these things, unfortunately, cannot be ruled out.”