Joe Ansbro, the London Irish centre who broke a bone in his neck against Munster, will be in a metal halo brace for three months.
Paul, father of the Scotland international, said: “Your blood runs cold when you hear about it and it’s something that every parent worries about.”
His 26-year-old son remains in hospital in Cork but is expected to fly home later this week.
Paul added: “He was really lucky that it was what they call a stable fracture and there’s no nerve damage. Joe has still got movement in his hands and feet. He’s got a triple fracture of the C1 vertebra at the top of his spine. They’ve put a metal halo on his head and that’s got to be in place 24/7 for three months.”
Meanwhile, London Welsh will discuss with Scarlets officials the tackle by the Welsh club’s Deacon Manu which has left Gavin Henson with a broken cheekbone.
John Taylor, the London Welsh managing director, said: “We’re quite upset with what happened and it certainly wasn’t what Gavin needed. I haven’t seen the video and don’t want to say too much. We will have a look at it and speak to the Scarlets if necessary. We will deal with it internally between the two clubs.”
London Welsh coach Lyn Jones must do without Henson for this weekend’s Premiership opener against Leicester and for a number of matches beyond that as it is thought he could be out for six weeks.
“We will just have to be patient and deal with it,” he said. “You’ve got to deal with thunderbolts the whole time. No player wants to get injured in a pre-season friendly. It’s hugely frustrating because of the hard work that has been done leading up to the start of the season.”
