Wales have gone further mile in Tomas Francis concussion restoration, insists Wayne Pivac

Wayne Pivac says that Wales have “gone the additional mile” by involving an unbiased concussion specialist for detailed evaluation of prop Tomas Francis.

Francis, who suffered a head damage halfway via the primary half of Wales’ defeat in opposition to England at Twickenham 11 days in the past, will begin Friday’s Six Nations match in opposition to France in Cardiff.

Tv footage confirmed Francis staggering following a conflict of heads with team-mate Owen Watkin within the England conflict. He was subsequently faraway from the pitch for a head damage evaluation that he handed earlier than returning and taking part in till the 56th minute.

Participant welfare foyer group Progressive Rugby wrote an open letter to World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and Six Nations final week expressing its concern over an episode at present being reviewed by Six Nations Rugby.

Progressive Rugby stated Francis ought to have been instantly and completely eliminated following the collision beneath World Rugby’s HIA protocol.

And Professor John Fairclough, a number one surgeon who has beforehand labored with the Welsh Rugby Union, stated it might be “a grave mistake” if Francis was chosen to face France.

Wing Josh Adams, who additionally suffered a head knock in opposition to England, joins Francis within the beginning XV.

After choosing a workforce exhibiting 4 modifications to face the unbeaten match leaders, Wales head coach Pivac stated: “I simply wish to level out that we’ve got bought a really, very skilled medical workforce who we predict are world-class.

“The follow-up protocols they undergo, their return-to-play protocols are fairly clearly set by World Rugby. These have been adopted.

“At every stage of that course of, each gamers have come via fantastic. Consequently, we’ve got gone the additional mile by way of Tomas Francis and bought an unbiased concussion specialist concerned.

“He has the historical past of the participant, he has had a have a look at the footage of the match and he has additionally been taken via the protocols which were adopted.

“He’s supportive of the truth that the participant has been cleared to be chosen, and on that foundation – and in session with the participant – we’ve got determined to pick Tomas Francis. We’ve additionally determined to pick Josh Adams.

“There’s a evaluate occurring round what occurred on matchday. I gained’t touch upon that till such time as that has been concluded.

“Folks every so often specific their views, and they’re entitled to try this. However we’ve got to remain targeted on what we’re coping with on the bottom right here, and that’s the gamers’ security.

“What I’d say is the specialists which can be coping with it on the bottom are coping with it each day, so they’re specialists in concussion.”

Wales captain Dan Biggar added: “We’ve bought a (medical) workforce that’s good. They don’t seem to be going to take pointless dangers – their first port of name is well being and security.

“If ‘Franny’ (Francis) wasn’t proper to play, then he wouldn’t be concerned. We belief the method utterly.

“I can solely communicate from private experiences, and we’re very effectively sorted right here. All of the gamers are more than pleased with the way in which the system is and protocols are on the minute.”

Flanker Josh Navidi has been recalled to the Wales workforce in a reshaped back-row.

Navidi made his comeback look for Cardiff final week after 5 months out due to a shoulder damage, whereas he has not performed Check rugby for nearly a 12 months.

However he’ll pack down alongside Taulupe Faletau at No 8, with Seb Davies handed blindside flanker duties.

The brand new-look breakaway trio means Ross Moriarty and Taine Basham drop out of the beginning line-up following Wales’ loss to England.

Basham has been amongst Wales’ most constant performers this season, however doesn’t characteristic within the matchday 23. Moriarty is on the bench, the place wing Louis Rees-Zammit additionally good points a spot after being dropped for the England recreation.

Ospreys ahead Gareth Thomas is most popular to Wyn Jones at loosehead prop and one again division change sees Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies exchange Nick Tompkins, who was not thought-about after struggling a concussion throughout Saracens’ recreation in opposition to Leicester final Saturday.

On Navidi’s choice, Pivac stated: “Josh did it in opposition to Eire final 12 months. First recreation again – he had no membership rugby beneath his belt.

“Sure gamers can do that. They’ve a historical past of with the ability to step up, and he’s one in every of them.”