the Ireland squad by head coach Andy Farrell ahead of their Six Nations round 4 fixture against England in March 2022, and was also selected in the squad for the 2022 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand. Loughman made his first appearance for Ireland when he started in their uncapped match against the Māori All Blacks on 29 June, however, he was removed from the field in the first minute for a head injury assessment. Loughman appeared to display symptoms of concussion, but passed the assessment by an independent doctor and returned to the field, only to be removed permanently at half-time as a precaution. Progressive Rugby, who advocate for greater welfare in rugby, criticised the decision to allow Loughman to return to the field, though Ireland head coach Andy Farrell defended the decision, insisting that Loughman passed the necessary tests but was removed at half-time in the best interests of Loughman himself. New Zealand Rugby later admitted that a "communications gap" was responsible for allowing Loughman to return to the field and that, as Loughman was displaying symptoms of concussion, the head injury assessment was not necessary, as World Rugby guidelines stipulate that a player displaying such symptoms be immediately removed from play. Loughman was then ruled out of Ireland's first test against New Zealand on 2 July, but returned to start in the second uncapped match against the Māori All Blacks on 12 July, which Ireland won 30–24 to draw the series 1–1. Loughman started for Ireland A in their 47–19 defeat against an All Blacks XV on 4 November 2022, and made his senior international debut for Ireland eight days later when he started in their 35–17 win against Fiji during the 2022 Autumn Nations Series. References External links Ireland Profile Leinster Profile Munster Profile URC Profile U20 Six Nations Profile Living people 1995 births Sportspeople from Reno, Nevada People educated at Blackrock College Irish rugby union players University College Dublin R.F.C. players Leinster Rugby players Munster Rugby players Ireland Wolfhounds international rugby union players Ireland international rugby union players Rugby union props