Rugby chiefs call for vigilance on concussion

The IRFU has warned parents, coaches and players of their responsibility to be extra vigilant for signs of concussion among amateur rugby players.

Concussion has generated considerably more attention in the professional game where the players are bigger and faster, but the problem was highlighted at grassroots level in tragic circumstances two years ago.

Fourteen-year-old Ben Robinson died two days after a schools match in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, having suffered what was subsequently termed as “second impact syndrome” after being involved in several heavy tackles and collapsing near the game’s end.