Ben Carson speaks on fears of never playing at high standard again following injury

Ireland U20's Ben Carson punctured a spleen six months ago, and was unsure whether he would be able to play rugby again.

This Sunday the centre will be trying to help Ireland to an U20 Six Nations Grand Slam.

“I punctured my spleen so it was a pretty rough injury, I was sort of bed-ridden for a couple of weeks. And it was a pretty tough time for me because I didn't know if I was going to be able to play the game at a high standard ever again. So it was a tough time.

"It took two or three months until I could properly run and lift weights and train properly again after that injury so it's been a long journey trying to get back into the Irish team. I didn't give up and knew that I could hopefully get there. And yeah, thankfully I'm here playing for Ireland.”

“I was probably out for four months. I was getting game time and stuff with my club and I was lucky enough that one of the centres (Ben Brownlee) got injured. It opened up a gap for me. That’s what rugby is all about, you have to be ready to perform when you are called upon. I’m happy about that.

"Of course, I was distraught (when he learned the seriousness of the injury), like everyone plays the game because they love it and to be told you might not be able to play the game you love again was pretty heart-wrenching for a while but I didn't really think about it too much after that, I sort of had a mindset of coming back better than ever, hopefully.

"So yeah, I'm very grateful to be back.” 

Unbeaten Ireland welcome winless Scotland to Musgrave Park in Cork on Sunday (5pm) looking to claim a fourth championship title and a third Grand Slam following the clean sweeps of 2007 and 2019.