Concussed England flanker Sam Underhill still 'really symptomatic'

Things are not looking particularly good for England backrow Sam Underhill, who has been described by Bath headcoach Todd Blackadder as still really 'symptomatic' regarding his latest concussive episode.

Following Bath's defeat of French giants Toulon, Blackadder gave an injury update on the explosive backrow forward who has had a breakout season for both the Premiership side and Eddie Jones' England.

The 6'1, 103kg backrow did not feature for Bath during the European window and no date has put on his return at this stage.

"He's still really symptomatic," said Blackadder. "We want him out there as soon as we can but when a player's got the symptoms he's had it puts him back another week."

"I've had these things with Kieran Read and Richie McCaw. It's really quite similar.

"You've just got to trust the process and trust that all the people who deal with these things, and are specialists at it, will make the right calls."

Underhill was concussed following a collision with Wallaby Sean McMahon in November and has not played since. It was latest in a number of similar injuries, having come just two months after he suffered a concussion playing against Northampton Saints.

Underhill joined the Ospreys for 2015/16 as a highly-rated specialist openside flanker and was initially with Bridgend Ravens as a semi-professional player alongside his studies. Such was his rapid progress that he became a member of Steve Tandy’s Ospreys squad.

He was born in Dayton, Ohio, played twice for Gloucester before crossing the Severn Bridge and after touring Argentina, he switched to Bath on a three-year deal.

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