Sir, – Concussion has always existed in contact sports and was generally ignored unless the player was unconscious or ill after the match. All contact sports were culpable in this regard.
However, players have become bigger, stronger and faster, consequently the hits are more ferocious; while one can build the rest of the body to counteract the collision, there is no exercise which will give the brain more protection.
In rugby, this is accentuated by smother and choke tackles, which encourage defenders to hit high to stifle off-loads, which result in more head clashes.
One simple rule change, which should certainly apply at all underage rugby matches, is that no tackle should be allowed above waist height; while not banishing concussion in its entirety, it would certainly reduce considerably the incidents of head trauma.
It would also have the added attraction of opening up the game, with more fluidity in the passing, off-loading and running, where the smaller, exciting, attacking player – like Shane Williams or Tony Ward – could again flourish. – Yours, etc,
PAUL McCREA,
Enniscorthy,
Co Wexford.