A member of the England Under-20s medical team has been accused of embarrassing himself over his response to a potential concussion as he piled pressure on the referee to keep the player on the field against Italy.
Referee Aurelie Groizeleau has been praised for sticking to her guns over the incident in the U20s Six Nations fixture in Treviso, which saw the hosts beat England U20s by 6-0 for the first time.
Despite what the scoreline alone may suggest, the fixture on Friday night was not without controversy. A 76th-minute incident saw English winger Deago Bailey land awkwardly after leaping for the ball, hitting his head on the ground in the process. The 19-year-old Bristol Bears wing was seen laying on the ground holding his head as team doctors were called onto the field.
The French referee deemed the contact in the air to be fair. An England player could be heard asking: "Are you checking for foul play?"
"No, no, no," the referee replied. "It's clear, we have a check so it's not foul play."
The English winger could be seen walking away from the medical huddle after being assessed before being called back by the ref for a HIA amid gesticulations and questioning about why he needed one from the player.
England's medical team then told the referee the player was fine to continue for the dying minutes of the game, but she told them an independent match doctor had certified the player needed a head injury assessment for a possible concussion.
England's doctor could be heard on TV cameras challenging the ref, saying "I'm a doctor... we've assessed him" before the referee doubled down: "It's the match doctor who decides the situation."
In analysis of the incident from journalist Sam Larner, co-host of performance analysis podcast Redzone Analysis, Groizeleau has been lauded for taking the appropriate action under unreasonable pressure.
Chris Nowinski, founding CEO of Concussion Legacy Foundation, said: "Let's make this a teaching moment so a rugby doc never embarrasses himself like this again. Err on the side of caution. A man's future is on the line!"
Former France player Groizeleau, 32, later told French outlet Sud Ouest: "I was sure of myself, of my decision, of the protocol that I had to respect. In addition, this had been verified by my video referee. I can have a strong character and I think I showed it.
"I didn't let myself be walked all over. And I think it is welcomed by the English themselves, who did not understand the behaviour of their doctor. Because there, clearly, we do not respect the health of the player by leaving him on the ground."
Asked if she was surprised by the reaction, she said: "Yes quite. Me, I continue the action and it's my assistant who asks me to stop because the player was passed out, which I didn't notice right away. The match doctor immediately enters the field, immediately I understand the gravity of the situation. My report is with the match doctor, not those of the teams. If he tells me he has to go out, we apply the medical protocol without discussion."
Groizeleau was also praised more broadly for her performance and trust she had in her officials.
England U20s won the Grand Slam last year, but there will be no such joy this time around after the Italian heroics in Treviso.
The defeat to Italy leaves England trailing behind Ireland in the U20s table. The Irish team pulled off an incredible 11th-hour triumph over France on Friday night to go top of the table. The Italians will travel to Dublin for their next game, while England host Wales.
Women referees have been officiating in the U20s Six Nations in preparation for the postponed Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this autumn, with tournament officials due to be announced in May.
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