Connacht skipper Craig Clarke is to undergo a scan which is likely to determine whether if he can resume his playing career.

The career of the lock forward, signed on a three-year deal to replace Irish international Mike McCarthy, is hanging in the balance following a series of concussions.

Clarke will have the MRI scan in early April and Connacht coach Pat Lam confirmed yesterday his future in the game will become a lot clearer after the procedure.

Clarke has not played for Connacht since he suffered a concussion against Scarlets in the Heineken Cup in January. And as a result of picking up his tenth concussion in 22 months, it is feared the double Super 15 winning skipper could be forced to retire from the game.



Huge role

But Lam is hopeful he will be able to call on his captain again, and insisted he is still playing a huge role for the team off the field.

“Craig has more scans planned for the beginning of April to check where he’s at,” said Lam. “It will certainly give us clarity.

“It’s (his concussion) still ongoing. He’s been out for a while, but for all players, rugby as a game, it could be gone just like that. You never know, that’s just the nature of the game we play.

“But he is a strong character, he really is. I think that’s testimony to what he is doing. The boys don’t see him all glum and hanging down. They see the qualities of the man, helping others, mentoring others, passing on his information, encouraging guys, still forming part of the analysis of other teams.

“But he is still very much part of our leadership group actually. He’s around at training and he’s having a big influence off the field. So he is still around every day,” said the Connacht coach.

Meanwhile, Connacht back Kyle Tonetti has been forced to retire from professional rugby due to ongoing issues with an ankle injury, the latest in a long list of casualties which have hampered his career.

The 26-year-old former Ireland underage player, has never played under Lam and last played for the province in February 2013. He said he arrived at his decision after undergoing numerous surgeries and several failed comebacks.

‘I’m obviously very disappointed to have to make this decision at this stage of my career. After exhausting all options and going through numerous surgeries, I have come to terms with the fact that I will not be playing at this level again,” said Tonetti.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Connacht and I’m disappointed I haven’t been able to contribute as much as I had hoped.

“Over the last number of months, being unable to play, I’ve had some time to prepare for this and I’m anxious and excited to move on to the next stage of my career, something all players have to do at some point in their lives.