Wales insist Tomas Francis is available for selection against France on Friday night even though the review into the handling of his head injury in the England game is still ongoing.
There was a major outcry over Ospreys prop Francis being allowed to return to the field at Twickenham given the state he had been in following a first half clash of heads with team-mate Owen Watkin.
TV footage captured the tighthead staggering near his own try line and he appeared to have to use the pads of the posts to hold himself up after getting back to his feet.
He initially remained on the pitch after being checked by a medic before being removed to undergo a HIA, which he duly passed, resulting in him returning to the pitch around 10 minutes later.
This has provoked huge debate as, under World Rugby laws, any player who shows visible signs of balance disturbance/ataxia after a head blow should be removed immediately and permanently from a match without a HIA.
Now the Wales management have spoken about the Francis situation for the first time since the day of the England game.
Defence coach Gethin Jenkins said the 63-cap prop was set to face France at the Principality Stadium in Friday night’s Six Nations showdown.
Asked about the progress of a review into the handling of the incident at Twickenham, he said: “I think the review is still being carried out. I don’t think it’s been finished yet.
“So we wait to see what comes of that.
“I personally didn’t see it (the incident) live. I’ve seen it after.
“The people in charge and the medical people will have gone through all that and I’m sure the review will see what comes of it.
“The HIA process has been in place for a long time and players, staff, we all abide by it.
“We’ve got to back what’s happened there. If anything else comes out of it, then it comes out of it.
“But the player has passed all protocols, he’s done his gradual return to play, he’s ticked off all his contact boxes and he’s available for selection.”
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Centre Watkin and winger Josh Adams are also on course to take on Les Bleus after their head knocks against England.
“All three have gone through their concussion return-to-play protocols and all three are expected to be training today (Monday) and be fit for Friday’s game,” said Jenkins.
“We are always worried when they’ve got to go through the protocol because it’s quite a stringent process.
“We’ve lost people in the past due to that and it’s unfortunate. It’s a good boost that we’ve got all three available.
“But luckily it comes on the back of a fallow week when time is on our side a little bit.”
Asked for an update on the review into the Francis incident, Six Nations today told WalesOnline: "The review process is ongoing."
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