Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has said he was "saddened and shocked" by claims made by a French neurosurgeon in the wake of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales.
Dr Jean-Francois Chermann told French radio station RMC he believed Sexton - who was replaced in Cardiff after his head collided with Justin Tipuric's knee - has suffered "around 30 concussions" during his career.
"I'm pretty saddened and shocked by the inaccurate reports that were thrown out," Sexton told a press conference today. "We've been here before. It's very frustrating."
Back in 2014, Dr Chermann recommended Sexton be stood down from rugby for 12 weeks when he was playing with Racing Metro.
He told RMC: "But all the tests that were done on this player, for example when he was playing Racing, showed that he had exceptional cognitive performance.
"So what it takes is for him to know what to expect and make the right decisions. I think we can now hear 'yes, I have a risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease but I want to take that risk'. But we have to explain to him what it is.
"The doctor's part, fundamental to this story, is: if there are symptoms, if his tests are disturbed, the doctor must stop him from playing on Sunday."
Jean Chazal, another French neurosurgeon and concussion specialist, agreed with Dr Chermann's comments, saying Sexton looked like a boxer who received a violent uppercut, following his collision with Tipuric's knee.
Sexton is currently following return to play protocols and is hopeful of playing against the French in Dublin this Sunday.
Responding to the reports that came out of France yesterday, Sexton took issue with what the doctor said, branding the claims as inaccurate, and also questioning his ethics in doing so.
"For me, I just think it's totally inappropriate that a doctor I saw many years ago felt it was appropriate to come out and talk to whoever it was and say those things.
"I'm pretty disappointed but I'm so used to it that it's almost like a water off a duck's back but for my wife, mum and stuff like that it's very upsetting.
"I thought there was a patient-doctor confidentiality. I just can't get over the fact someone thought it was appropriate to come out of nowhere and say things that weren't even accurate."
Sexton said he's focusing on proving his fitness for the weekend showdown with Les Blues as Ireland look to bounce back from their opening-day loss in Cardiff.
"I'm okay. I picked up a few bumps and bruises but by and large I've been good. Just doing the return to play protocols at the moment. I have [passed them all] so far I've to do another one today and then tomorrow and we'll see how we go.
"If I pass my test today I get to train with the group tomorrow non-contact."
