O'Toole took four days 'to get fully right' after concussion

O'Toole suffered his head injury just two minutes after being introduced during Ireland's loss to New Zealand on 8 November

United Rugby Championship - Ulster v Munster

Venue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Date: Friday, 20 December Kick-off: 19:35 GMT

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Ulster prop Tom O'Toole says his concussion while playing for Ireland last month was "really frustrating" and it took him four days "to get fully right" afterwards.

O'Toole sustained a head injury when he collided with Wallace Sititi just two minutes after coming off the bench in Ireland's Autumn Nations Series defeat by New Zealand at Aviva Stadium on Friday, 8 November.

The 26-year-old was withdrawn and returned to action against Fiji on 23 November having been ruled out of the win over Argentina as he progressed through the 12-day return to play protocols.

"Well, to be honest, I don't really remember much of it," said O'Toole.

"That probably made it a little bit... not easier because there was more confusion afterwards. I think it probably took me until about Tuesday to get fully right.

"The medical staff, they were unbelievably supportive; all the coaching staff, all the players down in camp looked after me really well. That made it easier. I stayed down, did my return to play stuff which was good, I was still in the squad and everyone helped me when they could."

'I've watched it over 100 times'

O'Toole had been promoted to Ireland's matchday squad for the All Blacks game after Tadhg Furlong's injury meant Finlay Bealham started at tight-head prop.

It was a big game for O'Toole, who did not feature in the summer's two-Test series against the Springboks in South Africa after making just one appearance off the bench in this year's Six Nations.

While the Drogheda native says being concussed so soon after being introduced was "really tough", he insists he would not do anything differently were he to find himself in the same situation.

"When you're coming up against the All Blacks, especially at home and how big of a game it was, you come on and within two minutes you get a scrum, a carry and you feel like you're in the game and then all of a sudden you're out," said O'Toole.

"Unfortunately, I don't remember too much after it. Watching it back is obviously pretty disappointing.

"That's rugby, without being too cheesy or whatever. That's the game, that's what happens. [I've] probably watched it over 100 times to see if I could have done anything differently but unfortunately you can't really.

"I just got caught. As I said, I wish I could've done something differently but I don't think I would have done anything differently if I had it again."

Switching sides 'awkward'

O'Toole has returned to tight-head duties with Ulster in recent weeks after being given his first run out on the loose-head side of the scrum by Ireland in the win over Fiji last month.

It was the first time O'Toole had played loose-head at senior level, replacing Andrew Porter for the last 30 minutes of Ireland's 52-17 win.

The ability to cover both positions will aid his Test career, and while O'Toole recognises switching sides can be "awkward", he is confident he can flourish in either role.

"You kind of know what you should be doing but it feels a little bit awkward, like you're writing with your other hand for a little bit," he said.

"It's like with tight-head stuff. Just getting experience with it, whether in training or games, will grow your confidence in it."