Campaigners say rugby’s concussion stand-down extension ‘long overdue’

Player welfare campaigners have welcomed World Rugby’s decision to extend the minimum stand-down period for most concussed elite-level players to 12 days from 1 July but have also called it “long overdue” and said it is “not the perfect solution” to the game’s ongoing head injury-related issues.

Until now players have been allowed to return to play after seven days if they satisfy a series of graduated protocols. But from next month it will be forbidden for concussed individuals to play again the following weekend unless they have a satisfactory concussion history and have also received a specific all‑clear by an independent specialist.

A spokesperson for Progressive Rugby, which has been lobbying World Rugby for 16 months to introduce a precautionary 28-day layoff for concussed players, said the move would help to enhance player welfare but stressed more could still be done. “Whilst long overdue and not the perfect solution, this is a positive step and will prevent most elite players from being exposed to extreme and unnecessary risk.

“It is also welcome acknowledgement for our members, who have long held grave concerns around this flawed protocol. However, while undoubtably a victory for player welfare, the journey is not complete.”

World Rugby insists the sport has not been sluggish in its response and deny that external pressure has precipitated the shift. “It isn’t the case that we get the concussion working group together because there’s criticism or a movement to suggest the existing protocols weren’t fit for purpose,” said World Rugby’s chief executive, Alan Gilpin, making clear the governing body still does not support blanket stand-down periods in the professional game where players can now be individually