Wednesday 25 February 2015 15:33, UK
England full-back Mike Brown has been ruled out of Sunday's crunch Six Nations match with Ireland in Dublin.
The Harlequins star suffered a horrible blow to his head in England's 47-17 victory over Italy at Twickenham and has failed to pass Stage 3 of the return-to-play concussion protocol in time for the Ireland game.
Saracens full-back Alex Goode is likely to replace him.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: "Mike and our medical staff have been diligent during every step of the graduated return to play protocol and they will continue to work to get him back to full health.
"We are of course disappointed to lose him but Alex is an experienced international and in great form for Saracens.”
Backs coach Andy Farrell added: "Mike woke up not feeling 100 per cent. The right and proper thing to do was to make the call on him. His health is the main priority here and we need to get him right for the next game.
"The symptoms aren't too severe whatsoever. He's fine in himself and is chirpy enough, but it just isn't worth the risk because his health comes first.
"Alex is an experienced guy himself who has been waiting for his chance for some time now. His form for Saracens in the big games against Munster and Clermont and in recent matches has been exceptional.
"Alex is super excited. All you ask for a player who has been waiting in the wings is for them to be ready and we feel he's certainly ready for us."
The news is a blow for Lancaster - Brown has been one of England's best and most consistent performers in the past two years, and he won the 2014 Six Nations player of the year award.
He has started England's last 26 matches, but will now have to sit out the highly-anticipated showdown between the two teams with 100 per cent records in this year's tournament.
If Brown is symptom free for the next 24 hours, he will re-take Stage 3 of the return-to-play protocol, and if he passes Lancaster will hope to have him back for England's last two games against Scotland and France, both of which are at Twickenham.
Goode has been in excellent form for his club, and Lancaster was particularly impressed with his performance in the recent Aviva Premiership victory over Bath.
"It was the best game I’ve seen him play for some time,” Lancaster said.
Goode's last start for England was in the 2013 Six Nations game with Wales in Cardiff.
Lancaster will name his team for Sunday's game at 9.45am on Friday.
