Rugby is often maligned in the press for its inevitable relationship with concussion, with numerous high-profile incidents only compounding the issue. If your reading is restricted to the newspapers, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a culture of denial is in place, however when you delve deeper, there are numerous examples of innovative and powerful research, all of which is already leading to law and policy changes. One leading light in the sport is the Rugby Football Union (RFU), who are actively conducting policy-informing research, and using this to shape the game in order to maximise player welfare. Steffan Griffin, of the BJSM, caught up with Dr Simon Kemp (Chief Medical Officer), Dr Matt Cross (Professional Rugby Medical Research Officer), and Dr Mike England (RFU’s Community Rugby Medical Director), who provide an insight into their work, which is not only shaping the way the game is played, but provides a fantastic blueprint for other sports to follow. Here is Part 2!

Timeline:

0.35: Is there a relationship between when players are removed & their subsequent recovery?

5.13: What else is the RFU doing around concussion?

8.36: Will we ever prevent concussions in rugby?