Sir, – As a father and rugby coach of children and young adults, I question some of the assumptions made by Allyson Pollock in "Time to tackle brain injury in rugby at all levels", (Opinion & Analysis, October 6th). Her assertion that "concussion or traumatic brain injury is routine in rugby . . . (with) at least one concussion per match" is not supported by my experience as a coach.
In the 22 games my team played at Connacht under-14 grade this past season, only one player suffered a concussion to my knowledge and this player observed the IRFU “Recognise and Remove” programme and returned to play 23 days later none the worse for the experience.
As coaches we are aware of the importance of teaching the skills of tackling and evading tackles and we are aware of the conditioning required in all sports to compete safely and minimise injuries. Awareness of concussion is now so widespread that children will tell if they have been hit on the head and will routinely be removed from the field of play as a precaution.
I hope parents are not unnecessarily alarmed. We do not need a generation of sedentary and overweight children missing out on the tremendous benefits to be gained from participating in team sports. – Yours, etc,
TOM FINN,
Ballinasloe, Co Galway.
Sir, – It is apparent that the IRFU does not know the number of incidents or nature of injuries that occur in rugby at schoolboy or club level. If it does not have this information, it does not know the outcome of the injuries sustained.
Without this kind of information, how can it inform players and their parents of the risks involved? In addition to proper reporting of these injuries, it would appear that a longitudinal study should be carried out which would provide the relevant information about the types and outcomes of rugby injuries. – Yours, etc,
Dr GERVAISE CORBET,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – It is evident that drastic action is required by the IRFU or the sport will suffer the gradual decline in player numbers at juvenile level.
I believe a solution may be the placing of a maximum squad or pack weight on all under-21 teams.
This would stop the relentless bulking race that has emerged even at schoolboy level, where players are getting larger and larger through weight training and protein supplements.
Placing a maximum team weight (or limiting the number of players over a weight on the team graduated by age) would make selectors and coaches think very carefully before selecting and encouraging this relentless march towards muscle-building. – Yours, etc,
F O’NEILL,
Dublin 3.