The first of Ringrose’s head injuries came during the ACT Brumbies game in Canberra, and now he has suffered another blow and his Test hopes have been destroyed again.
“Garry was actually selected and unfortunately in training today he’s had to pull out,” said Farrell.
“It’s head-related again. It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me and, once it’s mentioned, that’s that.
“So there was no incident. He was feeling good, well in advance of Tuesday, and fit and ready to play (against the First Nations and Pasifika XV).
“No incident through the game at all, nothing yesterday and nothing this morning at all. but with these type of things, players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.”
Ringrose’s honesty and selflessness was an example to all players.
“It actually is,” said Farrell. “I thought exactly the same the minute he mentioned it because it’s tough to do that.
“It’s very easy to keep it to yourself and lie and not be honest and open.
“It was very big of him and the right thing to do, 100% – for the team as well, not just for Garry.”
Captain Maro Itoje echoed Farrell’s sentiments.
“Firstly, absolutely gutted for Garry,” he said.
“I played against Garry at under-20s. To play with him and get to know him over the last couple of months has been a real privilege and honour.
“I’m gutted for him that he’s in this position. But it shows the measure of the man to be so selfless.
“All we ask of all of us is to be selfless and put the team first. When push comes to shove, you see who really does it. Garry is a man who really did it.”
