Scotland centre Joe Ansbro has suffered a broken neck while playing in London Irish’s pre-season match against Munster and could be out for up to 14 weeks.
The 26-year-old broke a small bone at the top of his neck early in the second half with an MRI scan confirming that immediate surgery was not required and that the injury would be managed by external fixation.
The 11-times capped centre is recovering in the University Hospital in Cork and is expected to return to the UK later this week.
Scotland team doctor, James Robson said: “The management of the injury Joe has sustained typically involves a period of between six-eight weeks immobilisation then a further four-six weeks of rehabilitation before he can look at a return to the game. We wish Joe well in his recovery.”
Ansbro missed the 2012 RBS 6 Nations with a back injury but returned to play in the victories over Australia and Samoa in the summer.
The centre suffered the injury diving to the ground in an attempt to secure the ball although his father Paul confirmed it was entirely accidental.
“He’s got a triple fracture of the C1 vertebrae at the top of his spine,” Ansbro’s father Paul told BBC Scotland.
“They’ve put a metal halo on his head that’s got to be in place 24/7 for three months. They did a CAT scan and an MRI scan, and they’ve had a neurosurgeon looking after him.
“He was really lucky that it was what they call a stable fracture and there’s no nerve damage. “That was the thing they were most concerned about; Joe’s still got movement in his hands and feet.”
