Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter says the process behind a first-half incident with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Jacob Stockdale in the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat at Ulster was “perplexing”.
Ulster wing Stockdale was sent to the sin-bin 10 minutes before half-time for a high tackle on opposite number Feyi-Waboso
England international Feyi-Waboso, who had scored four tries in as many matches since recovering from a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the Six Nations, passed his head injury assessment [HIA] but, according to Baxter, was not allowed to return to the game after being reviewed by an independent doctor.
Stockdale was replaced by Ethan McIlroy at half-time after Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said he “picked up a head knock”.
Baxter said he “had to be a little bit careful”, but that it was “really odd” and a “perplexing one”, and he questioned the process for players who pick up head injuries.
“You have a refereeing decision with an official judgement of minimal head contact, and most of the contact through the shoulder,” Baxter said.
“Our player leaves the field and passes his HIA, but is not allowed to go back on because the independent doctor says the actions on the field make it an immediate removal.
“The Ulster player doesn’t come back on with a damaged face. It doesn’t add up, does it?”
