Rugby rules may need changes to make sport safer: study

Basic rugby rules may have to be changed to make schools and youth rugby safer, the author of a major study on sports concussion has suggested.

Paediatrician Alf Nicholson said that while greater participation in sports needed to be encouraged, the aim should be to avoid serious injury, including concussion.

Prof Nicholson said that weight, as opposed to age restrictions, and tackle and ruck law changes might be needed to make schools and youth rugby safer. Similar principles applied to other contact sports.