Brain injury rules must be more stringent

NICK CAIN

RUGBY Union’s governing bodies must urgently take action to make concussion protocols far more stringent.

World Rugby and its constituent national unions have to do this immediately, irrespective of the status of the legal action against them being considered by former professional players who have spoken publicly about suffering brain damage due to multiple concussions.

The existing six-stage Graduated Return To Play protocol, which has allowed players to return to play one week after a knock-out or a concussion, has to be changed.

Rugby Union has to err significantly on the side of caution in its protocols, in the same way boxing does. Any boxer who suffers a knock-out in a bout has to withdraw from competition for 60 days, rather than the seven days in rugby.

Furthermore, if they suffer a second knock-out within three months, or in their next bout, they are automatically suspended (sparring included) for six months.

Some experts have voiced growing concerns that there is no firm evidence to support a turn-around as short as a week, as happened when Luke Cowan-Dickie was allowed to play for the 2021 Lions the weekend after being knocked out playing for Exeter against Harlequins in last year’s Premiership final.

They also argue that the existing protocol puts medics under pressure to get players back into match action as soon as possible. If that is the case it is completely unacceptable. Players must be given every opportunity for extended rest and recovery after concussion, and medics should not be put under any duress to declare them fit to play.

Rugby Union should be every bit as pro-active as boxing, rather than lagging behind – and if that means longer stand down periods in the interests of improving player safety and welfare, it should be non-negotiable.