This is no longer wishful thinking. World Rugby unveiled on Wednesday an ambitious and comprehensive plan to improve the health of players, amateurs and professionals. With, of course, very particular attention on the subject, burning since the collective complaint of former players (at the beginning of December, a group of former professionals, including English world champion Steve Thompson, was formed to seek compensation from their neurological disorders) concussions. The International Federation thus decided, in the first place, to extend the use of external consultants. Which will now be "
mandatory
".
As of August 1, the team doctors will have to call on one of these experts in several cases.
In addition to the resumption within ten days, they will also be entered for players who have already suffered a concussion "
in the last three months
", those already victims of "
two or more concussions in the last twelve months
" and those who have contracted “
five or more such injuries since they started playing rugby
”.
“At the origin of this project, there is a promise: we will never be passive in the search for the well-being of our players.
"
Bernard Laporte
The body has established a list of ten consultants to which "
the federations can also propose additions
". Among these people are Philippe Decq, neurosurgeon at Beaujon de Clichy hospital near Paris and an expert for several years in the FFR and the National Rugby League (LNR). "
The ambition is to be the most avant-garde sport in the world in terms of player health
," said Bernard Laporte, president of the French Rugby Federation and vice-president of World Rugby, in an open letter.
Like all sports, rugby is not a game without risk. Nevertheless, it is a sport that cares deeply about its players by giving them priority, especially in the event of head injuries. We take action to make parents feel safe and want their children to continue playing rugby in our schools. At the origin of this project, there is a promise: we will never be passive in the search for the well-being of our players.
"
This plan is also structured around five other main areas: support for former players, investment in scientific research, modernization of rules, adaptation to the specificities of women's rugby, training.
To constitute "
a contract of engagement with the whole of the rugby family on major health-related issues, aimed at reducing injuries at all levels of the game
".
Improve the care and support of former players in difficulty
To better understand the impact of head injuries, the measures are based “
both on recognized scientific evidence and on the contributions and opinions of all players in rugby
”. “
I am convinced that continuing to put the health of the players at the forefront is essential if we are to develop our sport. The plan that we are unveiling today underlines this commitment
”, justified, also in an open letter addressed to the rugby family, the president of World Rugby, Sir Bill Beaumont. “
The consultation will have a central place. We want to build on recent constructive discussions with players, former or active.
"
The first commitment involves improving the care and support of former players in difficulty or concerned about their health. Clearly, no longer neglect the long-term consequences of concussions and impacts to the head. "
Our mission is to become the most forward-thinking, open and collaborative sport in terms of player health at all levels
," insists World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin.
By building on a solid foundation, we want to reassure players, parents and supporters that we care deeply about our rugby family.
"