Ban Rush Defences To Reduce Brain Harm

Am I alone in thinking that if the professional players want to take anyone to court for a lack of duty of care, they are currently aiming at the wrong target?

- Jeff Probyn

It seems so far that, touch wood, it’s only a limited number of professional players who seem to have suffered the unfortunate consequences of continual blows to the head.

If even one person suffers the catastrophic consequence of early dementia as the result of playing a game, any game, that is one too many, particularly as it seems that the vast majority who play rugby escape without any form of long-term neurological damage.

What that should indicate is that the game itself is an acceptable risk for all participants at all levels, if you play according to the laws.

If it is only a very small section of the professional game who appear to be affected by neurological damage, the question is why and when does it occur?

There have been a few studies over the years with comparisons of the type of injuries that occur and also the frequency with concussion as the most probable injury a professional player will get.

The likelihood of it happening solely as a result of training and playing international rugby is remote given that there are so few games in an international season compared to club training sessions and games.

With an approximation of around an average of 60 injuries per Premiership club season, it would seem logical to assume that the greater risk of injury is while playing for your employer, i.e, your club rather than your country.