Rugby College: International Rugby Board brains trust on agenda at long last

Sunday, 5 January 2014

International Rugby Board brains trust on agenda at long last

By

Sam Peters

PUBLISHED:

00:18, 5 January 2014

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UPDATED:

00:19, 5 January 2014

The International Rugby Board are putting together a group of independent brain experts in an attempt to understand the long-term health implications for players who suffer multiple concussions.

The Mail on Sunday have learnt the sportâ€™s governing body, who admitted there could be a link between repeated concussions and early onset dementia, have approached a number of world-renowned experts to advise them on the best way to manage a growing concern in the game.

The IRB have been accused of dragging their heels after groundbreaking research undertaken in the United States demonstrated a link between concussions and long-term neurological problems in American footballers, resulting in a multi-million dollar legal settlement.

Safeguard: David Jackson of Nottingham Rugby wears protective head gear during matches

But following sustained criticism of the Pitch Side Concussion Assessment (PSCA) trial â€” or ‘five-minute test’ â€” the IRB have moved to ward off possible legal action by engaging a number of leading scientists.

â€˜It seems the IRB are gradually waking up to the fact the science is moving so fast on this issue that they have to try to catch up,â€™ one well-placed source said.

‘Theyâ€™ve dragged their feet for some time on this but it would appear they are now starting to engage with people who wonâ€™t necessarily just give them the answers they want to hear.’

The IRB insist the PSCA is in line with the Zurich Consensus on Concussion in Sport â€” drawn up by a body formed of medics largely employed by sportâ€™s governing bodies â€” but critics, including Dr Bob Cantu of Boston University and former IRB medical advisor Barry Oâ€™Driscoll, say there is no scientific basis to limit the test to five minutes.

‘There can be long-term ramifications from mismanaging concussions,’ said Dr Cantu, who is understood to be among the scientists the IRB are hoping to recruit. â€˜The five-minute test is a great start but it is not adequate.â€™

The Scottish Rugby Union are resisting pressure from the IRB to introduce the trial of the PSCA in this yearâ€™s Six Nations.Â RFU operations director Rob Andrew, who is also putting together a concussion working group, last month said the PSCA should be extended to at least 10 minutes.

Protection: The International Rugby Board are looking into putting together a team of brain experts

Taken to hospital : Leicester

Dangers : Leicester’s Toby Flood was carried off on stretcher with a head injury in August

HOW THE MAIL ON SUNDAY HAVE LEAD THE CONCUSSION CAMPAIGN

The Mail on Sundayâ€™s campaign was launched in September and called on rugbyâ€™s authorities to fund independent research and introduce mandatory education for all players and coaches, as well as compulsory independent assessment for any player who suffers more than one concussion in a three-month period.

The campaign has already been successful. In October, we reported that the Rugby Playersâ€™ Association will introduce compulsory education for players next season, while Premier Rugby are to insist on coaches undergoing the same training.

Last month, the International Rugby Board finally accepted the possibility of an association between concussion and early onset dementia, having previously denied any link, while the RFU have also indicated their intention to institute independent research into concussion.

And it appears certain that the controversial five-minute Pitch Side Concussion Assessment will be extended to a minimum ofÂ 10 minutes â€” and possibly even longer â€” to allow medical staff to make a fuller assessment of players with suspected concussion.