'No external pressure' on World Rugby to change concussion protocols / Photo: © AFP/File
-
India seeks threefold increase in coal stocks to prevent summer power shortages
-
Indian companies report mixed second-quarter results on November 4
-
Adobe PDF Spaces Introduces Shared AI Conversations for Document Collaboration
-
Indus Towers expands solar-powered network to 50,000 telecom sites
-
KKR secures Indian regulator approval for Gentari Renewables investment
-
Equitas Small Finance Bank rebounds after naming interim chief executive
-
Bharti Airtel revenue expected to grow at double-digit pace in second quarter
-
Titan quarterly profit seen rising as jewellery business drives growth
-
Italy Claims Curling Silver at European Championships in Ostrava
-
Indian crude-sensitive shares gain after 13% oil-price decline
-
Kuwait finance minister holds economic cooperation talks at COMCEC
-
Stocks and dollar fall as Democratic election gains reshape markets
-
Abdul El-Sayed declares victory in Michigan Senate contest
-
Kuwait marks key events and anniversaries from national history
-
Democrats capture US Congress in sweeping midterm victory
-
Trump congratulates Democrats and signals willingness to cooperate
-
Manchester United rallies past Roma as PSG dominates in Champions League
-
Qatar prime minister advances mediation through diplomatic calls
-
Qatar sees tentative opening for renewed regional diplomacy
-
Greenland parliament approves security agreement with United States
-
Qatar Tourism joins Pacific Asia Travel Association at London travel market
-
Qatar envoy meets incoming UN General Assembly president
-
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat in Historic Election
-
Trump Signals Willingness to Work With Democrats After Midterm Defeat
-
Qatar media bodies discuss support for humanitarian initiatives
-
Pitches and Keynote Speakers Are Confirmed for Blue Magic Netherlands on November 17
'No external pressure' on World Rugby to change concussion protocols
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has said no external groups caused it to change its return to play protocols for concussions that were announced on Tuesday.
From July 1, the majority of player diagnosed with concussion are set to miss their next match.
Players will only be able to return to the field seven days after a concussion with the approval of an independent doctor, with others having to wait for an increased minimum period of 12 days.
Former internationals, including England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson, are involved in legal action against the sport's authorities due to the impact of head injuries suffered during their careers.
"Correct, exactly," Gilpin told reporters when asked to confirm that "pressure from various quarters" had not brought about the shift,
Gilpin insisted the changes were only due to research by an independent group.
"It's the case that the group takes the best information as it evolves and comes up with the next evolution in the process," he said.
World Rugby's changes come into force days before mid-year Tests begin, which include a re-run of the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final as South Africa host Wales.
"We haven't had a lot of negative feedback. We're there supporting teams in getting the job done," World Rugby's chief medical officer Eanna Falvey said.
"There's always going to be a bad time to bring something in. When there's a hiatus up here (in the northern hemisphere) there's a lot going on down south. You have to pick a time and go for it," he added.
Last weekend, Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies was controversially shown just a yellow card for a head-contact high tackle on Leicester Tigers' Julian Montoya in the English Premiership final.
Toulouse's Rory Arnold was also sin-binned during his club's Top 14 semi-final loss to Castres on Friday for a similar challenge on opposition winger Filipo Nakosi.
"It's not appropriate to comment on individual refereeing decisions," Gilpin said.
"It's about making sure the referees are consistently applying that head contact process and make sure that everyone understands that we're trying to drive behavioural change."
L.Janezki--BTB
