Rugby ‘has woken up to injury dangers’

Former Ireland rugby international Bernard Jackman believes the sport has woken up to the dangers of head injuries, amid warnings that litigation arising out of serious cases could lead to more effective player welfare.

Jackman, now head coach of Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales, was one of the speakers at a conference at the headquarters of the Law Society of Ireland entitled “On Deadly Ground – The Standard of Care & Head Injuries in Rugby”.

The conference was presented by barrister Doireann O’Mahony, who outlined how numerous parties involved in a game in which a player is seriously injured could be liable to legal challenge.