Concussion and the devastating impact of other head injuries to the brain is a subject area gaining greater currency, whether it's the NFL or the outcry over Tottenham Hotspur's failure to substitute goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
But in rugby it does not seem to be gaining traction in rugby as quickly as it should.
That is the view of Dr Barry O'Driscoll, a former member of the IRB's medical committee.
He quit the organisation in response to a decision to trial the '5 minute rule' where players who suffer suspected concussion are temporarily removed from the field of play and assessed to see if they will be brought back on.
O'Driscoll believes this to be grossly unsatisfactory and believes it is only safe to let a player back onto the field after seven days of rest and medical supervision. He wants a black and white rule.
"As a result of a 4-year concussion in sport conference with the wise men of the world on concussion in sport, we got it down to 7 days - that it was safe and rational and we could see that a player showing signs of concussion could return in 7 days if you went through a graded return. Suddenly, out of the blue, the international board decided to make it 5 minutes."
Last night, O'Driscoll spoke to Off The Ball about the very pressing issue and explained why he quit the IRB, why the '5 Minute rule' is totally inadequate and why educating parents, referees and coaches is of vital importance.
Listen to the full interview below or download the podcast on iTunes:
Referee Wayne Barnes indicated a concussion injury to Cian Healy ©INPHO/James Crombie
