Eddie Jones has been grand slammed before England even take on unbeaten France over his selection of Kyle Sinckler for Paris.
Jones came in for fierce criticism from leading head injury organisation Progressive Rugby for picking the prop a week after he was removed from the game against Ireland following a blow to the head.
Sinckler failed his head injury assessment (HIA) and although two days later Jones stated he had not actually suffered concussion, Progressive Rugby insist he should be nowhere near tomorrow’s Paris match.
The organisation said it was “naturally deeply disappointed” to see Sinckler selected as a replacement “following what we maintain was a clear concussion.
“We say that the use of HIA and graduated return to play protocols have again been shown to be unfit for purpose by allowing a player to be potentially subjected to extraordinary high impact collisions just a week after a brain injury.”
Jones makes six changes, compared to one by France, with George Furbank coming in at fullback to allow 6’4 Freddie Steward to switch to the wing opposite 5’9 French flyer Gabin Villiere.
Ben Youngs returns at scrum-half against world number one Antoine Dupont, Nick Isiekwe replaces banned lock Charlie Ewels and Sam Underhill comes in at openside for Tom Curry.
But it is at tighthead where concern and controversy rages. Not in the choice of Will Stuart to start, but the selection of Sinckler to finish.
“Let us be clear, we place no blame at the door of the player who wants to represent their country,” said Progressive Rugby. “But on the protocols that should be in place to protect them.”
The episode comes a week after Wales were lambasted by the same influential lobby group for picking Tomas Francis against France.
His selection came in the wake of being allowed to return to the field against England following a clash of heads which left him unsure on his feet to the point of staggering about.
Jones, under pressure to avoid England finishing fifth for a second successive Six Nations, insists he is in no way gambling with Sinckler’s health.
“I only follow the medical protocols,” he said last night. “We’ve got a very good medical staff.
“Wales went through the same thing with Tomas Francis. There are protocols in place to ensure the safety of the players and it’s not for me to second-guess the medical staff.
“Kyle goes through all the protocols and we get an independent professor to judge his status to play the game, then we take that all into consideration and if it’s all positive then he’s fit for selection.”
Underhill’s recall for the first time this year was particularly welcomed by Jones given the Bath flanker has battled concussion, illness, injury and missing out on the Lions.
“He’s been through an extremely difficult period,” said the Australian. “But I’m sure we’re going to see the best version of him this Saturday.”
France: Jaminet; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Haouas, Flament, Taofifenua, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos.
England: Furbank; Steward, Marchant, Slade, Nowell; Smith, Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Isiekwe, Lawes, Underhill, Simmonds.
Replacements: Marler, Dolly, Sinckler, Chessum, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Daly
