Roux set to step up for Ireland
Ex-Wallaby Fainga’a retires because of concussion fears
LONDON, Feb 6, (RTRS): Quinn Roux was not included in Ireland’s Six Nations squad when coach Joe Schmidt announced his initial 38-man selection last month, but the Connacht lock is now set to assume a pivotal role in their mustwin encounter with Scotland on Saturday.
Called into group after injuries to Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne, Roux has moved further up the pecking order after Devin Toner was ruled out with an ankle injury in their opening round defeat by England in Dublin.
Connacht’s Ultan Dillane is also part of the Irish squad but Roux remains the favourite to make his first Six Nations start after a third championship appearance off the bench against England. room.
For Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, James Ryan, Joey Carbery and Jordan Larmour, it was their second loss on the international stage, while it was a first for Andrew Porter and John Cooney.
Former Wallabies back Anthony Fainga’a has called time on his rugby career over fears for his long-term health as a result of multiple head injuries and concussions.
The hard-tackling centre, who played 23 Tests for the Wallabies and helped Queensland to the Super Rugby title in 2011, has mainly played in Japan since leaving the Reds three years ago.
“I’m probably only one more head knock away from being a vegetable or not being able to play with my kids,” the 32-year-old told Fox Sports News on Wednesday.
“After a couple of really big head knocks, I had to make a big decision... I love the rugby game so much but I needed to look after my mental health.”
Fainga’a said the after-effects of his injuries were so severe that he needed help standing up during the wedding of his brother and former Wallabies and Reds team mate Saia.
“In 2016, my twin brother got married and at the altar, I was actually getting held up because of the head knocks,” he added.
“I received a couple of really big head knocks over my career and I was standing at the altar getting held up, I got walked out by someone.”