Today's rugby headlines as stars contact World Rugby over concerning Six Nations incidents and Welsh region 'appalled'

These are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, March 24.

The International Rugby Players union has contacted World Rugby and the Six Nations in the wake of several high-profile incidents regarding head injuries.

Wales front-rower Tomas Francis was at the centre of a storm when he was allowed to return to the field after a head injury assessment despite staggering and using pads to hold himself up at Twickenham. A review was kick-started given claims he should not have undergone a HIA at all due to his symptoms, but no outcome has yet been announced. Then, in the Six Nations finale, England prop Kyle Sinckler came off the bench just seven days after failing a HIA.

While the statement from the International Rugby Players union does not specifically reference these incidents, it reveals general concern about protocols and regulations governing concussion and the return-to-play process, RugbyPass report.

It read: "International Rugby Players has contacted World Rugby and Six Nations Ltd regarding several head injury issues in the recent men’s Six Nations competition. The global players’ body has been involved with World Rugby over the last decade in formulating protocols, rules and regulations in relation to the head injury assessment (HIA), graduated return to play and general concussion management."

Omar Hassanein, the International Rugby Players CEO, added: "We cannot place enough emphasis on the importance of player safety, particularly where head injuries are concerned. This involves, not only the continued evolution of protocols based on science but also ensuring that everyone plays their part in the proper implementation of those protocols. We believe in the need for openness and transparency and the need to