Paul Willemse concussions: MHR second row to know next week about the rest of his career

Paul Willemse a subi un nouveau protocole commotion contre le Stade Français le 5 octobre dernier. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Après une énième commotion survenue contre le Stade Français le week-end dernier à l’occasion de la 5e journée de Top 14, Paul Willemse, refoulera-t-il les terrains de rugby ? Il rencontre un spécialiste à Toulouse la semaine prochaine.

Paul Willemse's future on the rugby field could be decided next week. The MHR second row, who went off with a new concussion against Stade Français (29-20) after a fairly harmless clash with his opposite number JJ van der Mescht in the 9th minute, will meet a specialist.

The French international (31 years old, 32 caps) has an appointment with Dr. David Brauge, a neurosurgeon in Toulouse and attached to the French Rugby Federation since he is a member of the medical committee and an expert. The latter will give the green light for a return to rugby in the coming days, weeks or months. Or not.

Five concussions last year

In an interview with Midi Libre last week, Willemse confided this: “This year is a turning point for me. Either everything is going well, I play matches after matches and it's the best. Or it's a second option, and I stop playing rugby in case of another KO.”

For twelve years, the colossus born in Pretoria (2m, 130kg) has not undergone a concussion protocol. Last season, “I had five”. The medical staff therefore acted accordingly, and by obligation, by putting him in the fridge for three months.

Back to the game in Bayonne on September 28th after almost six months without playing, he came on in the 58th minute. No alert was to be declared. His return even brought power to the forward pack. The following week, the staff lined him up as a starter in the capital. After nine minutes and a first ball, Willemse again remained on the ground and did not return. “It's a big loss for us”, manager Joan Caudullo said after the match.

Please note that the Montpellier native, who arrived in Hérault in 2015, is coming to the end of his contract next June.

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