These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, February 23.

Concern over Wales v Scotland incident

Concern has been raised over a controversial incident in the Wales v Scotland match that saw Gregor Brown remain on the pitch following a high hit from Joe Hawkins.

Hawkins received a yellow card for the early high tackle, which appeared to leave Brown disorientated after his head was rocked back by the blow. The likes of BBC pundits Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton and Nigel Owens all thought Hawkins was arguably lucky not to see red for the challenge.

But concern has also been raised by campaign group Progressive Rugby and some viewers over the fact Brown remained on the pitch and was not required to go for a HIA.

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While Brown’s gumshield sensor clearly did not trigger an immediate HIA requirement, the force of the blow and the fact he appeared groggy in the immediate aftermath should have seen him removed for assessment, according to Progressive Rugby.

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Progressive Rugby described the incident as “concerning” and said on social media: “The HIA protocol loses all credibility if it isn’t used as it should be.

“That (the gum shield detector) isn’t the sole arbiter – the way his head moved and the impact should have been enough to get him off, even if the IMG wasn’t triggered.

“It could be argued given his obvious immediate disorientation, that he was displaying category 1 concussive symptoms and should have been permanently removed from the pitch.”

Many viewers have also questioned why Brown was allowed to remain on the pitch.

MP issues WRU statement

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has called on Welsh rugby clubs to “bring this chaos to an end” after it was confirmed that the Welsh Rugby Union is to face an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

On Sunday, it was confirmed that the Central Glamorgan Rugby Union, which represents clubs in Neath, Port Talbot, Maesteg and Bridgend and is one of nine districts that help make up the WRU, had officially called the EGM, with a requisition notice submitted to the union yesterday morning.

Central Glamorgan had previously sent out a letter to all clubs urging them to express a desire in calling an EGM, amid widespread dismay over plans to reduce the number of professional sides in Wales from four to three and uncertainty hanging over the future of the Ospreys.

As one of three motions voted on by member clubs, the EGM will see WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board chairman Malcolm Wall face a vote of no confidence. The union now has 21 days to acknowledge and schedule the meeting.

After the news broke, Mr Bell said it was “totally right” that clubs had called for the EGM, as he agreed that a change of leadership is the “only way to ensure the WRU changes course”.

In a statement, he said: “The WRU are trying to shrink Welsh rugby and end professional rugby in Wales’s second city. If this isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is.

“So it’s totally right that so many clubs have come together to call this Emergency General Meeting. They are bravely standing up for Welsh rugby and all our communities

“For weeks supporters, players and communities have been asking the WRU to put a stop to their chaotic plans. But there are no signs they are listening.

“Grassroot clubs have now concluded that the only way to ensure the WRU changes course is to change the leadership. I agree,” he added. “I urge all clubs to attend the EGM, vote for a change of leadership and bring this chaos to an end.”

Scotland up for the fight

By Phil Blanche, Press Association

Gregor Townsend says Scotland are determined to take their Guinness Six Nations title fight to the wire.

Scotland’s 26-23 comeback win against Wales kept alive hopes of a first European title since 1999 – the final year of the Five Nations Championship before Italy joined the competition.

Townsend’s side trailed 20-5 at the start of the second half in Cardiff, but Scotland dug deep to build on their Murrayfield victory over England after losing to Italy in their Rome opener. Scotland resume their title bid at home to France on March 7 before meeting Ireland in Dublin, where victory would secure their first Triple Crown for 36 years.

Head coach Townsend said: “We’ve got two games to look ahead to, and obviously the France game is massively important in terms of our Championship aspirations. The Ireland game is huge as well for a number of reasons. One it’s Ireland and we’re going to see them a few times over the next couple of years with the World Cup.

“Also the Triple Crown and we’ve got to do all we can to be in the Championship in the last round. So the best thing is obviously beating France and staying in the mix, and that’s what we’ll be working on the next 10 to 14 days.

“France are a top, top side. If you let them play, as in you don’t stop them at source and don’t stop their offloads, then they’re going to cause you damage. They are playing some outstanding rugby, so we’ve got to make sure we don’t let them get 20-30 points on the scoreboard.

“We always get really motivated for the French game. We know it’s going to be open and if you don’t get your defence right it’s going to be a long day. But it also allows the other team to be part of that too, and that’s a game we want to play.”

Scotland were wounded in the autumn after letting slip a 21-point lead against Argentina. But Townsend believes the lessons learned from that painful defeat have been put to good use in the Six Nations.

“We’ve spoken since Argentina where we didn’t manage momentum well,” said Townsend. “We managed it well last week, we never let England come back into the game unlike Argentina.

“We had to fight really hard (against Wales) and stick together, so that’s progress and a hugely important game for us in our development. There a lot of things we have to improve of course, but the one thing we needed to improve from Argentina we’ve shown.

“Even in Rome the guys came back, but we run out of time and the weather didn’t help. But the last two game we’ve shown a real mental strength to find ways to win.”