Conor O'Shea has launched an impassioned defence of rugby's concussion treatment, admitting he hopes Mike Brown will be passed fit for England's clash with Ireland on Sunday.
Full-back Brown remains locked in a race against time to complete the raft of testing required to face Ireland in Dublin after being knocked unconscious in England's 47-17 Italy victory.
Brown's Harlequins boss O'Shea backed England's bid to help the 29-year-old win his fitness battle, rejecting recent criticism of the handling of concussion injuries.
Ireland bosses reacted angrily to former France star Laurent Benezech questioning the medical decision around clearing fly-half Johnny Sexton to face Les Bleus on Valentine's Day, after an enforced 12-week concussion lay-off.
Former Ireland full-back O'Shea admitted he was nonplussed by some of the commentary around Sexton's return, and hinted he hopes Brown will not face anything similar if he lines up for Sunday's pivotal RBS 6 Nations clash in Dublin.
"If Mike plays, he's fit," O'Shea told Press Association Sport. "There's no one forcing him out.
"There's so much conjecture in the media.
"Concussion is a very serious issue, but it's a serious issue which is being treated with incredible sensitivity and commitment by everyone in the game.
"If he goes out on to that pitch, Mike will be fit, and I hope he makes it."
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