It seems that even Derwyn Jones (remember him) is demanding answers from the Welsh management for what happened with Ryan Jones being sent out to the British Lions following his head injury for Wales against the USA – only to see him shipped right back after a neurologist said he had concussion. Heart breaking for Ryan who I felt should have been in the Lions squad anyway – contrary to many saying he was off form I felt he was in superb form.
But it seems a bit odd that it is the Welsh rugby management everyone is turning to for answers, as if the British Lions management (who are mostly made up of the Welsh management if you remember) are impervious to criticsm.
Interviews with Robin McBryde, who was heading up the Welsh tour, and Ryan Jones himself suggest that the issue was the desperate need the Lions felt for calling up Ryan, not any miscommunication. It has been stated that the only medical opinion Wales had got for themselves was that Ryan was in a fit state to travel, not to play. He was due to get a full neurological check when he got back to Wales.
They then relayed this on to the Lions management who decided to call him up right away. Ryan himself said he felt fine, but then players often do – it is very hard to self assess head injuries.
So the Lions management took a risk and it failed. Somehow this translates to the Welsh management having messed up and answers being demaneded, and people wanting investigations. As you know I am no defender of McBrude and certainly not one of Sean Holley. But I don’t see how we can lay blame for this at their feet.
I feel gutted for Ryan, a great player and a superb ambassador for Welsh rugby. But i don’t think there are any answers needed. A dice was rolled and it came up snake eyes. The British Lions still have cover and the only one hurt was Ryan, who at least got to know that he would have been called into the Lions if it wasn’t for injury.
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