Call for ban on ‘harmful contact’ in school rugby

Scientists in UK cite premature death and dementia among dangers facing youngsters on playing fields

Scrums and tackling should be banned from school rugby on safety grounds, according to medical experts.

Citing premature death, dementia and low educational achievement among the dangers faced by youngsters on the playing fields, scientists in Britain have called on the government there to introduce a ban on what they describe as “harmful contact” during rugby games.