That was a sickening hit.
Darren Sweetnam has been one of the success stories of Munster’s season thus far.
The flying winger has put in a string of impressive performances for the southern province which led him to take part in Ireland camps back in October and November.
Unfortunately for ‘Sweets’, a knee injury during the St. Stephen’s Day victory over Leinster in Thomond Park resulted in a considerable absence from the game – diminishing any hopes of working his way into the Ireland reckoning for the Six Nations.
Thankfully, he has been back to full fitness over the past couple of weeks and he was even able to get ahead of Andrew Conway for the quarter-final win over Toulouse a few weeks ago.
He started Saturday afternoon’s narrow 22-20 victory over Ulster at Thomond Park but the Dunmanway native only last two minutes.
Munster sent through a high ball for the 23-year-old to chase, a consistent tactic of the southern province this season, but unfortunately, he took a heavy knock when attempting to tackle Charles Piutau.
Sweetnam got his head in the wrong place and made direct contact with the lower back of Piutau.
The winger immediately hit the turf and it was clear for all to see afterwards that he wasn’t entirely sure of where he was.
He gingerly gets back to his feet and you can see Paddy Jackson checking on his opponent to see if he is okay.
Sweetnam on bottom right hits to make tackle on Piutau, bounces off & is clearly dazed. Fair play to Jackson for checking on him. pic.twitter.com/nF92N2hJdv
— James Lynch (@LynchieSoup) April 15, 2017
Sweetnam actually attempts to join the Ulster line of defence, a sure sign that things are not good.
Thankfully, the Munster medical team are on the scene immediately after this and Sweetnam is removed from play.
Andrew Conway replaced him permanently and Munster fans will be hoping that he will be okay for Saracens next weekend.
