World Rugby's response to Progressive Rugby's open letter

World Rugby has issued a response to the open letter sent to them by, among others, James Haskell and Jamie Cudmore, who have launched Progressive Rugby – a new lobby group calling for World Rugby to address player welfare in terms of serious injuries, particularly concussion.

Progressive Rugby have recommended that the following elements of the game be considered by World Rugby:

• Limited contact training
• An upper-level tackle height review
• A reduction in the number of replacements in matches
• A limit on the number of games a Test player can annually play in
• An increase in the minimum concussion rest period to three weeks 

“The game needs to change things,” Haskell said. “We could do so much more to look after players. Why do we do so much contact in training when there is no need? So much gets brushed under the carpet.

“It’s only when it affects you and someone you know, you actually start to take notice. But paying lip service to it has to stop because we are getting these neurological effects when people are young – some even younger than me. If players like my old teammate Dylan Hartley have concerns over whether they get early-onset dementia we need to take a stand.”

In response, World Rugby has issued the following statement:

“The welfare of the global rugby family is, and has always been, World Rugby’s priority. We take our responsibility very seriously and care deeply about our past, present and future players.

“That is why we ensure that players are at the heart of our discussions through International Rugby Players, and that is why we value and welcome constructive debate, respect opinions and listen to suggestions that advance welfare.

“We are progressive, which is why as scientific and medical knowledge and societal understanding continue to evolve, rugby evolves with it. We are always guided by medical and scientific consensus to inform our concussion education, prevention and management strategies.

“Clearly these members of our rugby family love the game and want it to be the best it can be. We do too. We are encouraged that the group are championing a number of initiatives that are already operational or being considered and we are open to constructive discussions with them regarding their proposals.”