Joe Schmidt backs Chris Henry to play for Ireland again following brain injury
Thursday 20 November 2014 22:03, UK
Joe Schmidt says Chris Henry can still play for Ireland in the Six Nations despite suffering a brain injury.
The Ulster flanker’s future is in doubt following “a temporary blockage of a small blood vessel in his brain” suffered on the morning of Ireland’s clash with South Africa on November 8.
Henry, who has represented Ireland 13 times, may have suffered a mini-stroke and is awaiting further tests while recovering at home.
Despite doubts being raised about his chances of returning to rugby, Schmidt backed his chances of playing again for club and country.
"I'd be very hopeful that he gets his boots back on,” said the Ireland coach. “And there may even be time for him to do that before the Six Nations.
"I really feel for Chris - this time last year he got injured at this point and missed the two big southern hemisphere teams we played.
"But I'd be quietly confident that Chris will come through the other side.”
Ireland medics first thought Henry had suffered a severe migraine on the morning of the Springboks clash, but specialists have since determined a more unusual condition.
"Chris Henry suffered some weakness on the morning of the South Africa game and a viral illness was suspected, he recovered quickly and the initial diagnosis was of severe migraine," read the Ireland Rugby Football Union (IRFU) statement.
“He is at home now and is well but needs further investigation and specialist opinion.”
