Bath coach Meehan hails brave Lipman after victory

Steve Meehan hailed the bravery of skipper Michael Lipman after he was injured during Bath's 22-14 Guinness Premiership win over Wasps last night.

The match was held up for 10 minutes while Lipman was treated following a heavy collision which saw him carried off on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace.

He was taken to hospital, where he was being assessed last night – and head coach Meehan is waiting to learn the extent of his captain's injury.

"He was not concussed – and the best-case scenario is that it is whiplash," said Meehan.

"It is too early to say exactly what is wrong with him, but you are always concerned when you see any player in that situation.

"Michael is a brave player – and brave players get into positions where they put their team first. Then the opposition have to work hard to remove them.

"This is not the sort of news you want, that's for sure. You never want to see players being carried off."

Meehan confirmed Lipman was able to move his limbs after the 54th-minute collision, in which he appeared to suffer a neck injury while attempting to break the Wasps defensive line.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "I just hope Michael Lipman is okay. You hate to see that on a rugby field."

Bath were trailing 11-9 when Lipman was injured – but Jonny Fa'amatuainu's try swung the match in their favour, while Butch James kicked 17 points for the victors.