IRB tackle rugby’s concussion issue

Rugby chiefs have appointed a panel of experts to investigate players’ concussion and devise a plan of how the game should deal with it.

The sport has been accused of having a lax attitude to head injuries but last November the International Rugby Board admitted there is a link between repeated concussions and a disease associated with the early onset of dementia.

Now they have set up an advisory group featuring experts from across the world and this is seen as a huge step forward in the process of addressing the issue.

The panel of Professor Caroline Finch (injury prevention researcher, Ballarat University), Professor Bob Cantu (neurosurgeon, Boston University), Dr Willie Stewart (clinical neuroscientist, Glasgow University) and Dr Jon Patricios (sports physician, South Africa) could share their findings with other sporting bodies.

Football has also been criticised for its attitude to concussion, particularly after Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris appeared to be knocked unconscious when he collided with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in November. The Frenchman continued playing but missed the next two matches as then-manager Andre Villas-Boas launched a vigorous defence of Spurs’ medical staff.

In rugby, Australia flanker George Smith was allowed to play on after appearing to lose consciousness following a clash of heads in last summer’s Third Test against the Lions.