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With the approach of the Rugby World Cup, which will take place in September 2022, the international federation World Rugby updated its concussion protocol on June 21. In the event of a concussion, a player must remain off the pitch for 12 days.
No return possible before 7 days
“Any player with a history of concussion or who has been removed from a game with concussion symptoms will now be ruled out for at least 12 days”, explains the International Rugby Federation. In most cases, players will therefore not be able to play their next match.
Players without a history of concussion whose assessment for traumatic brain injury 3 (HIA 3) shows no abnormal findings will be allowed to return to play on the 7th day after the onset of their injury.
The health of the players above all
“No player will return to play until the seventh day after injury, and any player’s return must be approved by an independent concussion consultant,” ensures the instance.
This decision results from the recommendations made by the Concussion Working Group (Concussion Task Force), which is an independent body made up of experienced clinicians, scientists and researchers.
Implementation from July 1
This new protocol will come into force on July 1 and underlines World Rugby’s desire to make “rugby the most progressive sport in the world when it comes to player welfare”.
the Concussion Working Group will continue to monitor World Rugby data on head injuries in the future. “If science suggests changes to the protocols, recommendations will be made to World Rugby as they must be, like science, an ongoing dynamic process”concludes the working group.