A worrying development, but a sensible decision.
Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea has said that Mike Brown has more than likely played his final game of the season, after revealing he’s been stood down due to continued concussion symptoms.
Brown was knocked unconscious after colliding with Italy’s Luca Morisi while playing for England during the Six Nations in February, returning four weeks later for the meetings with Scotland and France.
However, Brown has yet to feature for Harlequins since returning from the England camp, and O’Shea says it’s unlikely he’ll do so in their remaining games.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, O’Shea said: “If I was a betting man I wouldn’t expect to see him back for the match against Bath either in a few weeks’ time. Maybe Newcastle [on May 16] but we’ll see what is best for the player.
“He will be in training once he gets over the symptoms, but he is not symptom-free.”
O’Shea added that while it’s extremely worrying to see the player continue to suffer the after-effects of the concussion, he’s confident the player will fully recover, given time.
“This is over a month now, it’s not pleasant at all. But he’s gone to the very best doctors and the very best specialists, and it will subside, and when it does it will be fine,” said O’Shea.
“Is it a concern? Of course it is. Anyone who is injured you are concerned about, and it is a head injury, but hopefully the way he has been treated has been good for him long-term.”
