World Rugby extends minimum period that a concussed player has to sit out from seven to 12 days

From the start of next month, the minimum amount of time a concussed rugby player must stand down from action will be increased.

Players concussed in next month’s three-Test series between Australia and England will be sidelined for at least 12 days as part of new World Rugby regulations.

World Rugby has announced that from July 1, players diagnosed with a concussion must now sit out a minimum of five more days than the current mandatory seven-day rest period.

“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.

“World Rugby’s approach to managing concussion within the game continues to be led by scientific evidence and independent expert opinion.”

The first of the Wallabies’ three Tests against England takes place on July 2 in Perth,

The second Test is a week later in Brisbane, while the third Test is on July 16 at the SCG.

World Rugby's Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) protocols for the elite game is evolving.

Players with history of concussion or obvious concussion symptoms will sit out from play for a minimum of 12 days, likely missing their next competitive match.https://t.co/pJJU4PRv7T

— World Rugby Media (@worldrugbymedia) June 21, 2022

World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the sport’s world governing body would “never stand still on player welfare”.

“We will continue to work with players across the world, at all levels of the game, to educate the importance of brain health and of reporting symptoms where they occur while doing everything we can to reduce the risks,” Gilpin said.

“Rugby is a game that brings immense benefits to those who play, benefits which far outweigh the risks.

“However, we know that any collision sport such as ours will result in injury and it is incumbent upon us to provide our players with the best advice we can and that is exactly what we’re doing with these protocols.”

International Rugby Players head of player welfare Conrad Smith said: “The key to this working – and the important part in changing the culture around concussion – is that players report their head injuries and any symptoms.

“Seeing first-hand the amount of work and research that is going into this extremely complex issue, I have confidence in the approach taken and that the authorities are looking after the players’ best interests.”

Originally published as World Rugby extends minimum period that a concussed player has to sit out from seven to 12 days