A former international rugby player believes that “players don’t think twice about going on the pitch” as new statistics around concussion in young people have been published.
A study by UCC’s School of Medicine and Cork University Hospital revealed that over one-third of players at schools level said they would play on with a headache from a minor concussion.
Alix Popham, former Wales international, is the founder of the Head for Change charity and joined Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast.
“[The UCC results] unfortunately don’t surprise me at all,” he says.
Popham says that his charity has spoken to a number of players and schools in the sport, and a large number of them “wouldn’t think twice about going back on the field.”
Concussion in rugby
He believes that people are ill-informed about the dangers of concussion, and education on the potential onset of issues like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and repeated concussion is needed.
“If we get it right with the younger generation - [and] the mums and dads, the coaches - in understanding how serious this is, then we’ll be in a better position in the future.
Mr. Popham believes there is a 'different standard' between schools when it comes to concussion, making prioritisation of the issue difficult.
Further information to tackle ideas like scrum caps helping prevent concussion is also needed.
“Scrum caps will help with things like cauliflower ears, but the brain still smashes against the skull inside; no matter what you wear on the outside it’s not going to protect the brain.
“Rugby isn’t being honest - every contact is causing damage to the brain.”
Mr. Popham praised Garry Ringrose, who voluntarily took himself out of the Lions' game against Australia as he was presenting symptoms of concussion.
“That was a huge call. I’m really proud of him for doing that.
"[But] there [are] thousands of times that players haven’t done that because they want to play in that game; they’re fighting for their next contract."
Ireland’s Garry Ringrose recently took himself out of Lions contention when he suspected himself having a concussion © PA Wire/PA ImagesMr. Popham believes that the decision to take oneself off the pitch is too much for a player to decide by themselves.
“It’s too player-led, which shouldn’t be the way,” he says.
He believes that these decisions should also be made off the pitch to protect the welfare of players.
“We need protocols - something in pre-season when their brain is rested. And when they have a head injury in season, they don’t return until they hit that normal level.”
Written by Cara McHugh
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