By Tadhg Peavoy
As concussion awareness grows in rugby and becomes an integral part of ensuring the safety of players at all level of the games, the IRFU have released a series of educational videos on this medical aspect of the sport.
The videos, which feature former Ireland and Munster flanker, Alan Quinlan, have been developed by the governing body to highlight the importance of proper management of concussion in the domestic game.
The videos are directed at those that run and play the game throughout the country, primarily players, coaches, officials and family members.
The videos have been divided into sections to provide concussion education for junior players, senior players, coaches, referees, as well as broader general awareness introductions to highlight the seriousness of concussion.
Links to each individual video can be found below.
Intro to concussion guidelines
RFU launches similar initiative
Across the Irish Sea, the RFU has also launched a similar initiative aimed at players, coaches and match officials across the community game.
They have introduced interactive courses based on the 4Rs of recognise, remove, recover and return.
These have been devised to improve the understanding of concussion and the behaviours needed to manage it effectively in a more accessible way.
The results and consequences of concussion are highlighted by the RFU scheme
"We are committed to reinforcing the message that concussion is an injury to the brain and needs to be taken seriously," RFU community rugby medical director Dr Mike England said.
"Players need time to recover fully before returning to play and young players in particular need to be managed more conservatively than adults."
The 30-minute courses are available at www.EnglandRugby.com/Headcase
