Ireland: Jeremy Loughman incident puts HIA in the spotlight again

Progressive Rugby, a non-profit lobbying group, has criticised the Ireland medics for allowing Jeremy Loughman to carry on against the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday.

The organisation, which is seeking better care for head injuries suffered by players during and after games, took to social media to comment on Loughman passing an HIA test despite clearly suffering physical signs of concussion.

Staggering

Loughman was knocked heavily on the head in the first minute of the game and struggled to get to his feet, losing balance and looking pretty vacant after the hit.

He was taken off for an HIA, which he subsequently passed, before being withdrawn early in the second half.

But Progressive Rugby argued he should not have even been taken to an HIA but rather taken off completely, after displaying obvious symptoms.

It also compared Loughman’s treatment to a similar case involving Wales’ Tomas Francis during the Six Nations, after which the tournament panel review said a mistake had been made in allowing Francis to play on.

“21st June: WR announce ‘Gold Standard’ concussion protocol. 29th June: One minute in Irish prop Jeremy Loughman leaves pitch with clear Cat 1 symptoms so must be permanently removed with no HIA,” Progressive Rugby tweeted.

“Has HIA and returns. A repeat of the Tomas Francis affair. Shameful and needs answers.”

Loughman was replaced by Cian Healy, who suffered what might have been a career-ending knee injury later on and potentially leaving Ireland with only one loosehead prop in their Test squad in Finlay Bealham, assuming Loughman is stood down for the concussion protocol period.

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