"Players are coming in like Exocet missiles. They are going in without any regard for their own safety."
The England Rugby Injury & Training Audit 2008-09, a comprehensive study launched by the Rugby Football Union, Premier Rugby and the RPA, also revealed that on average two players were injured per club per match last season. The total number of days' absence as a result went up by 42 per cent.
England is the only country to have made such an in-depth study and Hopley insists it cannot be ignored by the IRB.
"Law makers have got to look at medical data, otherwise you'll have no one left to play the game," he said. "We need the IRB to take a lead in this."
Last year's Lions tour to South Africa was seen as setting the benchmark for high-intensity rugby, with serious injuries an understandable side effect.
Wales prop Adam Jones has only recently returned from a six-month lay-off with a dislocated shoulder caused by a charge by Springbok lock Bakkies Botha at a breakdown.
"If the Lions tour is setting the tone for where we are going, we have to have a serious look at it," added Hopley.
