Jonathan Sexton has hit back at the claims of a French doctor that suggested the Ireland captain had suffered 30 career concussions.
Dr. Jean-Francois Chermann instructed Sexton to take 12-weeks off while playing for Racing 92 in 2014.
With Sexton undergoing the return-to-play protocols following a knock to the head in last weekend's defeat to Wales, Dr. Chermann told RMC Sport, "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.
"Conversely, if there are no symptoms, if the tests are perfect, the fact that he has had many concussions before is a problem. But I think we do not have enough obvious elements to prevent him from continuing his rugby career."
Sexton rounded on Dr. Chermann at a press conference on Wednesday, saying, "Yeah, I'm pretty saddened and shocked by the inaccurate reports that were thrown out yesterday.
"We've been here before, and it's very frustrating.
"For me, I just think it's totally inappropriate that a doctor that I've seen - many years ago now - felt it was appropriate to come out and talk to whoever it was and say those things.
"It's inaccurate, and highly inappropriate.
"I'm pretty disappointed but, for me, I'm so used to it that it's almost like water off a duck's back to me.
"But for my wife and Mum and stuff like that it's very upsetting, but that's the world we live in.
"I don't really want to talk too much about it. Like I said, it was inaccurate.
"I've just got to focus on this week and the return-to-play. If I don't pass one of those stages I won't play. If I do pass them, well then I'll be fit to play. And whether I play or not is down to the coaches then.
"And that's the way we've always done it. I trust the medical guys here - they look after us incredibly well - and I will continue to trust them."
Sexton added, "I thought there was patient-doctor confidentiality, I'm pretty sure that exists in the world.
"I just can't get over the fact that someone thought it was appropriate to just come out of nowhere and start saying things that weren't even accurate, that's the most hurtful thing.
"We've been here before and could sit here talking about it for 20 minutes, but I'm never going to win out of it.
"Last time I did it, this has happened twice before, I tried to give facts and defend myself and I'm in the papers for being selfish and not looking after younger players going through the system."
How France will counter Ireland | Sexton | Trying to stop Dupont | James Coughlan on OTB AM
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