Players support injury protocols

The chief executive of the Irish rugby players’ body, Omar Hassanein, has given his backing to the IRB’s concussion protocols in a week when the controversial issue has once again been thrust into the limelight by the injury to Peter O’Mahony.

The Munster flanker was withdrawn at half-time of last Saturday’s Rabo-Direct Pro12 fixture against Leinster as a precautionary measure by team doctor Tadhg O’Sullivan after being struck on the head by an opponent’s knee.

The 24-year-old has been monitored closely this week and sat out training on Tuesday, but has insisted he is fit to feature against Edinburgh at Murrayfield in this Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener.