Concussion expert keen for IRB to take action earlier

The board of the Rugby Players’ Association was yesterday addressed by Chris Nowinski, president of the Sports Legacy Institute, a body studying the treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes.

While the IRB insists there is “no scientific link” between concussion and CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) Nowinski sees strong evidence to the contrary.

“To try to tell people not to worry about CTE, or wait longer before you start actively protecting players, is the wrong message if they’re the people putting themselves at risk,” he said. “I don’t like that message, but I also understand it’s less a medical discussion and more of a legal discussion.

“People learn there are financial consequences to this new recognition that brain trauma has lasting consequences. I know that a lot of that is driven by lawyers.”