Ireland boss Andy Farrell backs head injury process after Calvin Nash return

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he has full faith in the processes around head injuries after naming Calvin Nash in his side for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Munster winger Nash retains his place in the side after coming through the return to play protocols, following a head injury picked up in the opening minutes of Saturday's 23-22 defeat to England at Twickenham.

The wing was treated and then removed from the pitch following a heavy collision with England's Tommy Freeman in the build-up to Ollie Lawrence's opening try.

Having failed his head injury assessment in the immediate aftermath of the incident, the 26-year-old has since passed all checks and is cleared to play.

"He passed the three stages that he had to go," Farrell explained.

"He trained fully yesterday [Wednesday] without doing contact within the session, but had to do contact after the session.

"Passed that with flying colours, no problem whatsoever. He had to see an independent doctor, if it's a seven-day turnaround, you have to do that, and he passed that with flying colours as well."

Ciarán Frawley also departed last week's defeat with a head injury, although he was immediately given a stand-down period due to a previous head injury, and wasn't considered for selection.

The Ireland head coach was adamant that he trusted the return-to-play protocols although he said he could understand why those on the outside may have concerns over his return.

"I would understand that, but if you're in the inner circle and you understand the process that these players have to go through now, you would thoroughly back that process," said the 48-year-old.

"One, he has gone through it with flying colours and he never looked like