DUBLIN: Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton on Wednesday described comments from a French doctor about his concussion record as highly inappropriate,” inaccurate, and upsetting for his family.
The flyhalf is going through return-to-play protocols ahead of the Six Nations match against France on Sunday after suffering a head knock in the 21-16 loss to Wales at the weekend.
Speaking on French radio station RMC Sport, Dr. Jean-Francois Chermann said he ordered that Sexton be stood down from rugby for 12 weeks due to repeated brain injuries when the flyhalf was a Racing 92 player in 2014.
The neurologist told RMC on Tuesday he believed the 35-year-old Sexton has sustained around 30 concussions during his career and expressed concern about him rushing back into action.
Sexton was visibly angered as he hit back at the comments during a news conference.
I am pretty saddened and shocked by the inaccurate reports that were thrown out yesterday, he said. Weve been here before and its very frustrating. For me, I just think its totally inappropriate that a doctor that I have seen many years ago now felt it was appropriate to come out and talk to whoever it was and say those things.
Its inaccurate and highly inappropriate and I am pretty disappointed but, for me, I am so used to it, its almost like water off a ducks back, but for my wife and mum its very upsetting. But thats the world we live in.”
Sexton, who played for Racing from 2013-15. questioned what happened to patient and doctor confidentiality.
I just cant get over the fact that someone thought it was appropriate to just come out of nowhere and just start saying things that werent even accurate, he said. “Thats the most hurtful thing.
Sexton, who now plays for Leinster, was forced off for the final 10 minutes of the game in Cardiff after hitting his head on the knee of Wales flanker Justin Tipuric.
Along with Ireland vice captain James Ryan, who was also forced off at the Principality Stadium, Sexton is going through phased protocols in order to be available for the France game.
Asked if he was passing the protocols, he said: I have so far. I have to do another one today and another tomorrow and well see how we go.
I have just got to focus on this week and the return to play and if I dont pass one of those stages, I wont play. If I do, I will be fit to play and whether I play or not is down to the coaches then. I trust the medical guys here, they look after us incredibly well and I will continue to trust them.
Sexton is often the center of attention ahead of matches between Ireland and France because of his short spell in French rugby.
It seems to be always the French game coming up that something happens, whether its before or after, Sexton said. You get used to dealing with these type of things when youre captain of your country. Its a privileged position to be in.
Sometimes it can wear down on you and you need to be reminded that theres a lot of people that would swap in for your job, so try and enjoy it, despite all of the speculation and attention.
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