Fitzpatrick: New concussion protocols a huge positive

International tight-head Declan Fitzpatrick has lifted the lid on the injury nightmare which followed a blow to the head in an international game two years ago.

Fitzpatrick developed ‘concussion syndrome’ following the knock and admitted he had become “a bit depressed” as he attempted to regain his form for province and country.

Fitzpatrick, who will start Ulster’s Pro12 clash against Dragons this weekend, believes new medical protocols to deal with head traumas are a huge positive for player welfare.

“Knocks are obviously part and parcel of the game,” said Fitzpatrick.

“I’ve just been very unfortunate with the injuries I had, which had me out of the game for a long time. The two significant concussions were obviously the main problems.

“I had a couple of bangs in succession, and to be honest, I didn’t rest fully,” admits Fitzpatrick who has won seven caps.

“It was all about me wanting to play for Ireland. The first knock I got was while playing in the November series and I thought there was a lot of pressure on me to play as I was sort of breaking through then.

“Concussion is one of these injuries where you just cannot get it fixed in six weeks. It’s day by day and very hard to judge and people are saying that ‘you look all right’. But it is only in hindsight I realise I should’ve given it more time.

“Everything is great now. If the protocols that are in place now were in place when I first picked up a knock I would have been fine for the last two seasons.

“Then it was always on the player. The more you take it out of the player’s hands, the better it is. There is so much on the line.

“There is so much going on in your mind. Sometimes you have a mild headache and you are thinking it will go away, but it doesn’t. It could develop into what I got, which was concussion syndrome. I just had a permanent headache. It was mild, but it affected my mood and my decision-making.

“Then I developed migraine headaches, which I suffered from as a kid. You are then double-guessing yourself.

“Everything though was going well up to last year when I took a hefty knock against Leinster. I told the coaches I was not feeling well at all.

“My family life was beginning to suffer and when I went home I was trying to hide it from everybody. As the season played out I couldn’t get on top of it and became a bit depressed.

“But I’ve had a good summer coming into this season, trained really well and have got all the assurances from all the professionals, and Ulster have been outstanding in how they have managed it.

“The new protocols in place now have been helpful to me and great for young guys. I feel that rugby is at the forefront of concussion and has made giant strides.

“There still needs work to be done. If somebody gets a bang and if there’s doubt, pull them out.”

Meanwhile Toulon forward Romain Taofifenua has been cited for allegedly kicking Ulster centre Stuart Olding during Saturday’s European Champions Cup pool game in Belfast.

Match citing commissioner Peter Larter has reported the Toulon lock, who will now face a disciplinary hearing in Dublin tomorrow .

If the case is proved, France international Taofifenua, could face anything from four weeks to amaximum one-year suspension.