Ben Carson: “I punctured my spleen and didn't know if I could play at a high standard ever again'

Ireland's Ben Carson: "It took two or three months until I could properly run and lift weights and train properly again after that injury so it's been a long journey trying to get back into the Irish team."

Ben Carson was bed-ridden with a punctured spleen just six months ago, unsure whether he would be able to play rugby again. This Sunday the centre will be trying to help Ireland to an U20 Six Nations Grand Slam.

Unbeaten Ireland welcome winless Scotland to Musgrave Park in Cork on Sunday (5pm) looking to claim a fourth championship title and a third Grand Slam following the clean sweeps of 2007 and 2019 and if they can achieve their goals this weekend it will be all the more impressive to have done so with away wins against both France in round two and England last time out.