PADDY JOHNS is grateful to Saracens colleague Michael Lynagh's keen hearing after the Ireland international lock swallowed his tongue and was knocked out against Orrell on Tuesday night.
A potentially more serious injury to Johns was avoided when his tongue was scooped back into place by physio Sarah Owen.
Saracens' manager Mike Scott explained: "Michael heard Paddy `gurgling' on the ground, realised he needed immediate attentions and got our physio on as fast as possible."
Johns, who has won 34 Ireland caps, will spend three weeks out of the game, but X-rays have revealed no lasting damage and he was able to attend the club's video session yesterday when he saw the incident for the first time.
"Paddy lost the ball in contact in his irritation, shoulder aged into a ruck. He timed it wrongly and smashed his head on an Orrell player's elbow. He fell to" the ground and gave his head another bang," added Scott.
"He was penalised, but while the referee was awaiting advantage, play moved on - although fortunately Michael was near enough to him.
"At Saracens we are all too aware of the dangers of head injuries following the tragic death of Oxford University's Ian Tucker, after he hurt himself against us."
