France winger Alexis Palisson’s condition is less serious than previously feared after the 24-year-old was knocked out cold in Toulon’s victory over Racing-Métro.
Palisson, who played in France’s 16-9 RBS 6 Nations defeat to Wales earlier in the year, suffered the injury in a sickening collision with Henry Chavancy on Saturday.
However Toulon doctor Pascale Lambrechts has said that a brain scan had revealed no abnormalities.
He said: “Alexis was the victim of a knockout with a loss of consciousness of about a minute without major consequences.
“After coming off he was transported to hospital to have a complete brain and spine scan. That scan revealed no abnormality and he had recovered in the hours after the clash.
“The LNR have brought in a new protocol this season to try to better control the return from head traumas. Every player has a cognitive scan prior to the season and after a knock like the one Alexis suffered, an identical test is done 48 hours after by a neuro-surgeon to compare with the initial test.
“If that test is ok the player can slowly begin to train again. Ten days after the knock-out another cognitive test is performed. If the results from that are satisfactory, the player can start playing again.
“In the case that everything is in order, Alexis could be back for the game against Bordeaux-Bègles on September 8.”
