Today's rugby news as major new concussion laws announced with immediate effect

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, June 21.

Players will face an increased minimum stand-down period of 12 days in a significant concussion protocol change announced by World Rugby.

Under new criteria, which is implemented in the global elite game from July 1, the vast majority of players diagnosed with concussion are set to miss their next match. It follows the latest review of scientific evidence and rugby-specific research by World Rugby's 17-strong independent concussion working group.

Currently, a player who fails a head injury assessment could conceivably feature again the following weekend, provided they follow and pass return-to-play protocols.

"The evolved approach will see players with a history of concussion or who are removed from a match with obvious concussion symptoms, sit out from play for a minimum of 12 days, likely missing their next competitive match," World Rugby said. "No player will return earlier than the seventh day after injury, and any player's return will need to be approved by an independent concussion consultant."

The procedure will be in place for overseas Tests in July which feature teams like Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland.

Protocols that define a player with a history of concussion include a concussion diagnosis in the previous three months, three concussions diagnosed in the previous 12 months, a player who has been diagnosed with five concussions in their career, and a player who has taken longer than 21 days to recover from a previous concussion.

Lobby group Progressive Rugby has campaigned for World Rugby to extend the return-to-play period since February last year. A spokesperson said: "While long overdue and not the perfect solution, this is a positive step for