Horrific French T14 Ref Injury

Just seen this article on RugbyDump about French Ref Mathieu Raynal...

Raynal, 31, got caught under two Racing Metro players during their 17-15 victory over Montpellier Friday night. It was the car crash of all on field collissions, resulting in an unbelievable double fracture to tibia and fibula, as well as a broken right collarbone, and a sprained left ankle.

His leg appeared to snap instantly under the pressure, leading to a few minutes that were hard to watch (and even worse to experience!) as he cried out in agony before medics got to him.

He was stretchered off and taken to hospital, where he has been ever since.

Loosely translated from French, this is what he had to say about the awful moment.

"The images that come back to me then are those of Sébastien Descons (Racing Metro scrumhalf) holding my hand, faces of rescuers, the ambulance, hospital, and ceilings. Ceilings is all I saw everywhere," he said with a smile.

He had surgery two hours later, saying it was really painful but was reduced by the morphine.

"I am completely immobilised, because I can not rely on crutches because of my broken collarbone. Hopefully my rehab starts in a month. Doctors tell me that I could start walking and running within three months." His season is over, but he says he has found comfort in the support he has received.

"Many players, coaches, managers and referees called me to support me. It warms the heart. It gives me the courage I'll need," he said.

It's horrible to see and I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. Great to hear that he's already had so much support from the rugby community

DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH, IT IS EXTREME.

http://www.rugbydump.com/2013/03/3053/french-referee-horrifically-breaks-leg-collarbone-and-sprains-ankle#allcomments

Looks pretty ouch. How did he break his collar bone though?

Maybe something like this happened...

http://www.rugbydump.com/2010/03/1338/midweek-madness-medics-drop-prop-bogdan-balan

If so, that would just be bad luck in the extremist degree. And I thought my luck was bad.

Possible did his collarbone whilst falling?

It looked like nothing at full speed, and even in the first replay and then when they show the slow-mo that was vile. Poor sod.

Far Quinnell Worst I’ve had is a kicked ball hit me in the gonads



Hope he makes a full recovery and gets back to ref’ing at the top level (He was due to be an Assistant Referee in this weekends Wales v England clash)

Yea poor bloke, hopfully we'll see him running the lines next year.

Does anyone know how long a leg injury like that takes to heal?

That's just really unlucky. Best of luck to him in his recuperation.