Scotland head coach Vern Cotter voiced concern for Scotland No 8 David Denton’s career after his second long absence with concussion in a year.
The 25-year-old is in the training squad named yesterday for this autumn’s Rugby World Cup, but his season ended prematurely for the second successive year after a head knock.
Further concussions requiring lengthy recovery spells would mean “some pretty mature decisions” would be made on the 25-times capped player’s future, said Cotter.
“I’m worried for him,” said the coach. “He’s back on track, he’s done all the protocols and ready to go, so he’s fully-fit and joining the squad.
“It’ll be a robust pre-season, and we want to be as careful as we can. But if he gets another knock on his head and requires the same length to recover, there will obviously be some pretty mature decisions made on what happens next.”
New stricter protocols on concussion have been introduced by World Rugby after former Scotland wing Rory Lamont retired after suffering 10 instances in his career and raised concerns on player care.
Cotter has named 46 players in his squad, eight of them uncapped including South African-born Josh Strauss and WP Nel, who will complete three-year residency qualifications before the tournament.