McFadden hails Ireland and Leinster medical staff

Concussion. It’s the headache rugby just can’t shake and its status as the most topical of discussions has played a prominent role as the end-of-season skirmishes are contested around Europe.

The outrageous decision to send Florian Fritz back into action for Toulouse against Racing Metro two weekends ago, after a sickening head injury which left the centre seeing stars and sporting stitches and staples, has garnered most attention.

Yet a week later Leinster were withdrawing Brian O’Driscoll, Fergus McFadden and Sean Cronin from the PRO12 semi-final battle against Ulster after the trio shipped serious blows. All have now been cleared for the May 31 final against Glasgow Warriors, but the general ground on deciding what is and isn’t a concussion remains muddied with even neurological experts holding divergent views.