Brian Smith hopeful Ansbro will play again

London Irish head coach Brian Smith is optimistic Joe Ansbro will be able to play again in spite of his broken neck.
The Scotland international centre suffered a triple fracture of the C1 vetebrae at the top of his spine in the Exiles friendly with Munster last Friday.
He returned to England last night after being treated at the University College Hospital in Cork, where he was placed in a metal halo neck brace to immobilise his upper spine.
Smith said: “It is early days and the most important thing is he has no problems with any functionality. He’s 100% clear.
“He’ll be able to recover from it but it is far too early to say if he will play on. Worst-case scenario it will be a long time away from the game or not play at all.
“Best-case scenario Joe will make a full and speedy recovery and will be wearing a London Irish jersey in the near future.”
On Tuesday Scotland team doctor, James Robson, said: “The management of the injury Joe has sustained typically involves a period of between six-eight weeks immobilisation then a further four-six weeks of rehabilitation before he can look at a return to the game. We wish Joe well in his recovery.”