Harlequins to rest Mike Brown due to concussion

England fullback Mike Brown will be rested by Harlequins this weekend as he is still struggling to overcome the effects of concussion after seven weeks.

Brown suffered concussion playing for England against Italy and although he was rested by England the protocols were followed he is still battling.

The England fullback missed the Six nations match against Ireland but returned to play against Scotland and France but is still not over the concussion blow.

Brown’s club Harlequins have revealed that he is still having headaches and this caused him to miss the Premiership match against Saracens at Wembley two weeks ago.

Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea allowed Brown to take a week’s holiday in Dubai but the Quins boss says they will have to send the fullback to a neck specialist as the break has not helped.

“We haven’t a clue in reality, even though everyone is saying that he will be fine for our match at Sale in a fortnight’s time,” O’Shea told the Telegraph.

“We need to cover every base. The game has never been safer or better prepared in its treatment of these injuries. Even a year ago, Mike would probably have been back out there.

“Everyone is so much more aware of what the symptoms are and needs to be done. I have no worries on that front. Mike will only resume playing when he is right. ”

“But is there a concern for the game at large that we are seeing more collisions of this nature? Yes, there has to be. Mike’s (original) incident with Italy centre Andrea Masi was as big a hit as I have even seen. It was a monstrous hit.”

Brown went through all of the international protocols for concussion and was cleared to play against Scotland and France as there was a clear symptom-free 24-hour period but after playing France he was not his normal self.

“When Mike came in on the Monday after the France game, it was clear he was not right,” O’Shea said.

“There had been no discernible (head) collision in the game but he was not himself and we stood him down. He even said that he didn’t really enjoy his holiday in Dubai last week as this was hanging over him.

“He is desperate to get back out there, to help his mates here at Quins who are having a tough time in the league but he knows that he has to do right by the game as well as do right by himself.”

Wales and Northampton Saints wing George North has been given a month off after suffering three concussions this year alone and Brown said he has sympathy foe what North is going though.

“I feel for George because this is not nice to go through,” Brown said.

“But you can’t mess around with the brain. It is so frustrating because there is no time frame on it. You also want to be active in trying to recover, like icing an damaged ankle, but there is nothing you can do. ”

“At least these days I was aware of the whole issue. A year ago, I would probably have tried to shrug it off.”