Concussion in Rugby Rises by 59% in a Year

The latest annual injury audit for English Rugby has highlighted a 59% increase in the number of reported concussions in 2013-14, which the governing bodies for Rugby believe is due to an improved understanding of head injuries.

In October 2014, English Rugby introduced an online concussion awareness module for coaches, officials and players. Dr Simon Kemp, chief medical officer for the Rugby Football Union, said:

"We asked all our professional players, coaches and referees in the top two leagues to do an education module and 1,469 of them did it - the whole target population."

Concussion was highlighted in rugby this week after Wales winger George North, 22, continued to play for Wales after appearing to be knocked unconscious following two heavy blows to the head. After the incident World Rugby, the sport's governing body, asked the Welsh Rugby Union for an explanation as to why George North was allowed to continue.

The audit found 13% of players - of the 585 players included in the study - experienced concussion during the 2013-14 season, resulting in concussion being the most common injury for the third season in a row. Kemp revealed:

"We'll be looking to build on that knowledge next season and also make sure new joiners are exposed to the same level of understanding."

Kemp also revealed a study that will be released in the next two months detailing the health of retired England international players, something which Dr Willie Stewart, consultant neuropathologist at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, welcomed.

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