Lachlan Mitchell bounces back to leave his Cup rivals feeling groggy

Chris Jones
12 Oct 2009

Wasps 18-13 Racing Metro

Lachlan Mitchell put in one of his best displays for London Wasps just a week after being carried off the pitch on a stretcher with his neck immobilised.

The full-back was taken by ambulance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital amid fears he had suffered a serious neck injury in last week's match against Northampton.

Tests revealed Mitchell had, instead, suffered concussion and he returned to action yesterday to help Wasps get their Amlin Challenge Cup campaign off to a winning start.

The 22-year-old found himself on the turf in the opening minute of the game as it appeared the first tackle he received had caused more damage, but he recovered to contribute to a significant victory against the big spending French club.

He said: "My first touch ended with me feeling sparko and I did think 'Oh, here we go again' but it was okay. I did feel dizzy for a short time and then it all cleared up."

Any player suffering concussion, has to pass a series of tests before being allowed to return to action and Mitchell admitted he was surprised to face the French.

He said: "Against Northampton, I was conscious when they took me from the field but had no real idea of where I was or what had happened. I had scans and then the results came back and my neck was given the all-clear. The sensations in my arms and legs had made me feel more confident during the scans but, to be honest, I didn't really think I would be playing against Racing Metro.

"It then came down to how I felt during the week at training and having to pass all the protocols. I was really glad they gave me the chance to play in this match. I had done well in the reaction tests and other things that you have to pass and then it was off to see a specialist who said I could play.

"There has been a lot of competition at full-back this season with Danny Cipriani playing there before his injury and now Mark van Gisbergen is fit to return and I really wanted to do well and get the chance to play in Rome this week. That was a motivation to put in a good show."

While director of rugby Tony Hanks was delighted with Mitchell's return, he now has a major concern at hooker after Tom Lindsay was carried off with suspected knee ligament damage.

Wasps' other hooker, Rob Webber, is out for a month with a knee injury, leaving Hanks in a quandary ahead of their Pool Three clash with Roma on Saturday. He said: "In terms of registering a new hooker we will have to look at maybe using one of the props who has hooked before. The fact you can only register one new player for the Cup, you have to be certain that change is absolutely necessary and we will take a bit of time over this.

"Potentially, we may have to bring someone in. We had 26 fit players out of the 38 you nominate for the competition and a couple of guys have done the lions' share of work this season."

England No10 Dave Walder kicked all 18 points to remind Wasps fans that the loss of Cipriani - out for six weeks with a hairline fracture in his right leg - can be more than covered by this experienced outside-half.

Saracens began their Challenge Cup campaign with a 36-12 win over Rovigo at Watford as 18-year-old fly-half Jake Sharp kicked 14 points on his debut. Derick Hougaard also added a conversion in Saracens' bonus-point success.Kevin Sorrell, Don Barrell, Michael Horak and Rodd Penney scored tries for the home side, who can expect a far tougher Pool Three test when they tackle Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon at Stade Felix-Mayol on Thursday night.