Rugby chiefs have moved to strengthen concussion protocols, with independent specialists set to review cases when players return to action after a head injury.
World Rugby will launch a panel of Independent Concussion Consultants (ICCs) to provide expert opinion on whether players are ready to return to action after head issues.
Global governing body World Rugby will fully fund the process for Test-level competitions, with ICCs asked to rule when players look to return to action 10 days or fewer after a concussion, or on players deemed higher risk due to previous head injury history.
"This will become an integral part of the graduated return to play process for the elite game," said World Rugby's chief medical officer Dr Eanna Falvey.
"We've used the ICC at the World Cup in 2015 and 2019, particularly in a tight game turnaround.
"But we consulted with our concussion working group and we had a significant review process of what we could do to strengthen the graduated return to play. And the addition of the ICC was seen as the best option."
Dr Falvey revealed the British and Irish Lions have worked in conjunction with World Rugby to use ICCs on their current tour of South Africa.
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie featured in the Lions' opening tour match in South Africa, a week after being knocked out in Exeter's Gallagher Premiership final defeat by Harlequins.
Dr Falvey has now explained that an ICC was used to review the case, with World Rugby happy with the whole process of Cowan-Dickie's return to action.
"I'm well aware of the case, very happy that the entire process was managed optimally from a medical point of view," said Falvey.
"As an extra measure for the Lions tour we have helped the Lions to usher in the use of ICCs."
World Rugby has also signed off on welfare-focused law trials, that will come into effect globally from 1 August.
The 50/22 law will come into action, with attacking teams winning a lineout by punting the ball from their own half and out on the bounce in the opponent's 22.
The goalline drop-out will replace five-metre scrums when a player is held up over the tryline.
A pre-binding pod of three or more players will be outlawed, and sanctioned with a penalty.
Players will be penalised for dropping their weight onto lower limbs of a defender attempting a tackle.
It will also partner with independent healthcare experts, unions and player associations to offer brain health care to former players.
Many former players have been diagnosed with permanent brain damage, early-onset dementia, depression, or symptoms and signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, with a number of ex-players having filed a class-action lawsuit against governing bodies including World Rugby alleging a failure to minimise the risks.
In an open letter accompanying the plan's launch, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said "continuing to put player welfare front and centre is critical if we are to grow our sport.
"Like all sports, rugby is not a game that is risk-free. But it is a sport that cares deeply for and prioritises its players, in particular around concussion and head injury."
The plan includes head impact prevention, welfare-driven law review, dedicated focus on the women's game, continued investment in education programmes and open engagement with people within the game.
