The Welsh Rugby Union has issued its 51,229 registered players a health warning over the dangers of concussion causing brain damage.
Their action requires every player to tick a box “accepting any risks of injury” as a condition of registration introduced for the first time.
The move emerges at a time when 185 players taking legal action against the WRU, RFU and World Rugby claim they were never given any such warning.
The new clause inserted into the WRU registration form states: “I have familiarised myself with and and accept any risks of injury that may be associated with playing a contact sport such as Rugby Union.
“(For more on World Rugby's Player Welfare Policies click here. For advice on Concussion in Rugby click here.)''
The WRU backs up its warning by leaving no player in any doubt, as follows:
CONCUSSION FACTS:
● Concussion is a brain injury.
● All concussions are serious.
● Concussion can often occur without loss of consciousness.
● Players with any sign or symptoms of concussion must be immediately removed from playing or training.
● Players must not return to play on the same day in any suspected concussion.
● It is recommended that all players with concussion should be referred to a medical practitioner.
● It is recommended that players should not return to full contact sport until cleared by a medical practitioner.
● Most concussions will recover with physical and mental rest.
● Concussion can occur without an obvious blow to the head.
● Recognise and remove players with suspected concussion to prevent further injury or, in rare cases, even fatality.
● It is recommended that all players who have a confirmed concussion do not undertake strenuous exercise for a minimum of two weeks prior to undertaking a Graduated Return To Play Programme.
Ryland Legal, the law firm representing the 185 players, alleges that the three defendants – World Rugby, RFU and WRU –
“failed to take any proper steps as the game turned professional to respond to a disregard for player safety and brain health at club and international level”.
Ex-Wales No.8 Alix Popham, one of the first rugby players to be diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE, the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, predicts that the number of players taking legal action to rise beyond 200.
Progressive Rugby, the lobby group of medical experts, coaches, former players and academics campaigning for tougher measures to minimise brain damage, are urging World Rugby to act without further delay.
They are calling on the governing body to impose an immediate 21-day “nonnegotiable blanket stand down for a brain injury irrespective of elite players' concussion history”.
The organisation which includes Kyran Bracken also want the maximum tackle height to be lowered to the nipple line and urgent investigation into law changes “around the rucks and tackle areas” to reduce head and neck injuries. They also want the abolition of the 20-minute red card, allowing a sent-off player to be replaced after 20 minutes which was in operation for the first time at Test level in South Africa's match against New Zealand yesterday.
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