Fears ease over injury victims of Calcutta Cup

THE dangers of modern international rugby loomed large in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield with several players suffering severe head knocks.

However, the news from both Scotland and England camps yesterday was that all the players involved were recovering well.

The injuries suffered by Thom Evans, Chris Paterson and Rory Lamont in the RBS Six Nations match with Wales shocked the Scotland camp and Evans' spinal injuries in particular have opened the eyes of many to the reality of collisions between increasingly powerful players.

Kelly Brown, the Scotland flanker, clashed head-on with England wing Ugo Monye after 15 minutes of Saturday's second half. It was a crucial intervention by Monye as a try beckoned for Scotland, but it left both players requiring lengthy treatment.

Brown was able to leave the field on his feet, though with support, while Monye was taken to hospital with his neck in a brace. However, by evening Brown was entertaining the Scotland squad with his guitar and fine singing voice, while Monye was released into the care of the England medical team after x-rays and scans failed to show any serious injury.

Jonny Wilkinson, the England stand-off, was replaced in the second half after colliding with the hip of Steve Borthwick, his skipper, as they tried to bring down Max Evans, and suffering concussion. Scotland lock forward Al Kellock also took a heavy blow in a tackle on Ben Foden, but resumed after treatment.

Allan Jacobsen, the Scotland prop, was replaced near the end suffering from severe cramp in his calf muscles. While the SRU have refused to rule anyone in or out of Saturday's final match in Dublin, , Brown's hopes will hinge on cognitive therapy tests this week.