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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Leinster's Garry Ringrose shrugs off Murrayfield scare after dazzling Tigers in Champions Cup tie

Garry Ringrose shrugged off his Murrayfield scare - after returning with a two-try brace and man of the match display for Leinster against Leicester Tigers.

Those present at Ireland's Six Nations victory in Edinburgh a month ago feared for Ringrose's health after he was temporarily knocked out as he tackled Blair Kinghorn.

"I mean, it was fine," he said after Friday night's Champions Cup win.

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"It was just kind of a rugby incident. I caught his hip - it's like concrete when you catch someone's hip and I caught him with the wrong side of my head.

"So it wasn't too bad for me because I was knocked out. It was probably a bit worse for everyone there and watching on TV.

"The medics looked after me unbelievably well and with the oxygen and the neck brace and stuff, it made it look worse than it actually was.

"But they have to do what's right by the player and not take any chances, so that's what they were doing.

"It's not ideal but my old man was over there, he was able to be with me after.

"I went to hospital and got all the necessary scans and spoke to the right specialists over the last two or three weeks to get the all clear.

"So I was able to come out here and play with confidence and not question anything that I had done before because I was so well looked after."

Explaining what happened in more detail, the 28-year-old said: "Kinghorn just went a little bit in and then out, so just swerved real late and I got my head caught on the wrong side.

"So obviously for myself technique-wise, I can be a little bit better, be a bit more patient and then kind of chase my feet in so the head is in the right place.

"But I’ve made that tackle loads. I take responsibility for the technique but then also just a little bit unlucky. As I said, it wasn’t too bad an experience for me because I was just knocked out and it was all good after that."

Garry Ringrose is stretchered off during Ireland's win over Scotland. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Ringrose was able to put the incident behind him quickly - his crunching tackle on Leicester's Mike Brown a reminder of the defensive threat he possesses.

"Part of it is me taking accountability myself, but then part of me is like it’s just an incident that hopefully won’t happen again," he stated.

"I don't think Leinster or Ireland or anyone would put you back out if there was any doubt.

"I was back training that Wednesday in a non-contact capacity and then working with Sean O'Brien, gradually reintroducing contact and hitting him a few times, so it was a good way to get the confidence back, if you can manage him then it's alright coming to playing in the games.

"It was good to be back. It's always tough watching lads have a crack in games.

"Obviously with Ireland it was a special finish (winning the Grand Slam), when all was said and done it didn't ever feel disappointing not being there because it was such a team and squad effort.

"There was a few of us who played a part earlier on in the tournament and then the same with this, I would have loved to have played last week (against Ulster) but it was pretty cool watching the lads go well in tough conditions.

"I was grateful to get a crack this week and yeah, all went well.

"I was probably close to being available for Ulster but speaking to independent specialists and Leinster as well, I erred on the side of caution, so that there was complete confidence this week."

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