Rugby world up in arms as doctors propose radical solution to injury crisis

Rugby is facing a crisis.

The issue of concussion just won’t go away. The long-term effects of repeated knocks to the head are becoming clear and a group of medics in England feel a solution may be found at underage level. Health experts have written to MPs to discuss the possibility of having tackling in all schools rugby banned. The letter states that research indicates tackling in schools rugby increases the risk of sustaining a serious injury, and injuries are often dangerous. Dozens of medics are hoping that the government will look into protecting children, and parents will choose non-contact rugby, or tag rugby, for their children instead. Doctors, who have treated various children in rugby-related situations, feel that there needs to be an urgent re-think on the dangers facing children playing rugby.

“The majority of all injuries occur during contact or collision, such as the tackle and the scrum. "These injuries which include fractures, ligamentous tears, dislocated shoulders, spinal injuries and head injuries can have short-term, life-long, and life-ending consequences for children."

The proposal has caused controversy this morning, with various mixed reactions from well-known rugby figures. https://twitter.com/pkelso/status/704946873514246144 https://twitter.com/brianmoore666/status/704938484419698689 https://twitter.com/MikeFriday09/status/704946020120141825 https://twitter.com/BowenBBC/status/704933798723624960 https://twitter.com/Chrisirvine/status/704954823142154240 https://twitter.com/simonrug/status/704949716170240001 https://twitter.com/matt9dawson/status/704947307805020162