Wales coach Wayne Pivac has issued a statement amid criticism over their handling of Tomas Francis after the prop was named in the team to face France just over a week after sustaining a head injury against England.
Television footage showed Francis staggering following a clash of heads with team-mate Owen Watkin during the Twickenham clash, with the 29-year-old appearing to lean on the post pads for support.
Francis departed the action for a head injury assessment that he passed, returning and playing until the 56th minute.
Player welfare lobby group Progressive Rugby wrote an open letter to World Rugby, the WRU and the Six Nations last week expressing their concern over an episode currently being reviewed by Six Nations bosses.
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They said that Francis’ situation necessitated an immediate and permanent removal from the pitch, with no HIA required.
This was followed up with more criticism from Professor John Fairclough, a leading surgeon who previously worked with the WRU, who said it would be a "grave mistake" were Francis to play this week.
However, having named him in his team to face France in Cardiff this Friday, Pivac wanted to offer some clarity over the situation - choosing to address the criticism before any questions had been asked at his pre-match Press conference.
“It’s very topical with the head injuries," he said.
"So just wanted to make a couple of points on Tomas Francis.
"Firstly, I just want to point out that we’ve got a very experienced medical team who we think are world-class. They’re experts in their field.
"In relation to Tomas Francis and also Josh Adams actually, both of those players have been seen by our medical team after the game, the follow-up protocols and the return-to-play guidelines set by World Rugby have been followed closely.
"At each stage of those processes, they’ve come through fine. As a result, we’ve gone the extra mile with Tomas and got an independent concussion specialist involved.
"He’s got the history of the player and also had a look at the footage from the match. He’s been taken though the protocols which we’ve followed, which are World Rugby’s protocols.
"He’s supportive that the player is clear to be selected. On that basis, and in consultation with the player, we’ve decided to select Tomas Francis.
"There’s obviously another review going on with what’s happening on matchday so I want comment on that until it’s been concluded.
"But I just wanted to tidy that up and let you know what has gone on behind the scenes with those players.”
Later on in the press conference, Pivac was asked about the thoughts of Professor Fairclough. The respected doctor and former Wales surgeon is involved with Progressive Rugby and made the criticisms in a statement released by the lobby group.
Prof Fairclough said: "I have carefully reviewed the footage numerous times, and in my expert view it is beyond any doubt that Tomas had a brain injury.
“As someone who has taken an oath to protect life, I can’t, in all good conscience, fail to highlight that I think him playing the next game puts him at unnecessary risk of harm, whether that be now or in the future.
“Wales may claim that he has been ‘passed fit’. For me that would be a grave mistake.”
However, Pivac responded by claiming that he would be following the experts in brain injuries - something he suggested Fairclough necessarily wasn't.
“No disrespect to the gentleman you’re alluding to, we’re going with experts in concussion," he answered.
"I know he was a leading surgeon in another area of the body, I think. We’re doing everything in our power that we can do. The decision has not been taken lightly.
"We always say that the players’ wellbeing is at the forefront of these decisions. That’s why we go to the experts in this field to get all the information possible.”
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