Pro’Tech Rugby Blog | Concussions in Rugby: Prevention, Risks & Headgear Innovation

Blog Post #2

August 12th 2025

Understanding the Science, Risks & Prevention

Following our introduction to Pro’Tech Rugby and our mission to pioneer safety, we want to address one of the most critical topics facing our sport today: concussions in rugby. The conversation around player welfare has never been more urgent, and at Pro’Tech Rugby, we believe that an informed community is a safer community. This post draws from peer-reviewed research, international consensus statements, and recent data to give a clear, factual view of the problem and the path forward.

The Data Doesn’t Lie: A Look at the Stats

According to the England Professional Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (2021–22), concussion was the most reported match injury in the Premiership, accounting for 24% of all match injuries, with an incidence of 18.2 per 1,000 hours of play. These figures are echoed in community and international data, with systematic reviews confirming that rugby head injuries are a significant risk at every level of the sport.

The Biomechanics of Injury: More Than Just a Knock

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by complex biomechanical forces. While a direct hit (linear acceleration) can cause injury, evidence shows that rotational acceleration is a primary mechanism, causing the brain to twist and deform. This deformation leads to cellular and metabolic changes that disrupt normal brain function. Protecting against both linear and rotational forces is critical in reducing concussion risk.

The Tackle: Rugby’s Primary Risk Event

Multiple studies agree that the tackle is the event most often leading to a concussion, responsible for up to 77% of cases in some research. Both the tackler and ball carrier are at risk, with upright tackles and head-on-head contact being particularly dangerous. Poor technique, fatigue, and game dynamics increase this risk, especially later in matches.

The Human Cost

The science is matched by personal stories. Former players like Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery have spoken openly about memory loss, early-onset dementia, and the challenges of daily life after repeated head impacts. While Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) can only be diagnosed post-mortem, the lived experiences of players underline the need for strict prevention, recognition, and management protocols.

Cultural Barriers to Change

Rugby’s culture of toughness is one of its greatest strengths, and the ability to push through pain for the team is part of what makes the sport so unique. That resilience should be celebrated.

But concussions are different. Playing through head knocks is still normalised, and research shows significant under-reporting — a UK study found that 41% of women’s rugby players admitted to deliberately concealing symptoms. A concussion is not just another knock, it is a brain injury, and continuing to play can lead to Second Impact Syndrome, a rare but often catastrophic complication.

Rugby needs to compartmentalise. Toughness will always have a place, but when it comes to head injuries, the smartest and toughest call is to step off, get assessed, and recover fully before returning.

Global Action: From Law Changes to Education

While national unions like the RFU and Scottish Rugby have strengthened protocols and education, World Rugby provides the global framework. They have implemented the “Recognise and Remove” protocol, expanded use of Head Injury Assessments (HIA) in elite play, and supported research into prevention and recovery strategies.

The 6th International Consensus on Concussion in Sport (Amsterdam 2022), developed with input from World Rugby, reinforced that early removal from play and targeted rehabilitation are critical to recovery, and that even brief delays in management can significantly extend recovery time. This aligns with growing evidence that immediate recognition and intervention are among the most effective ways to reduce the long-term impact of rugby concussions.

Our Role in the Future of Player Welfare

At Pro’Tech Rugby, we aim to complement these evidence-based strategies with advanced protective headgear designed to address both linear and rotational impacts. While no equipment can eliminate concussion risk, innovative design based on real-world data can be part of a layered defence alongside education, law changes, and cultural shifts in how we approach head injury. It is like wearing a seatbelt when you get in a car, it will not eliminate the risk but it can significantly reduce the consequences if there is an accident.

Explore our Sources:

World Rugby

Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport 

ENGLAND PROFESSIONAL RUGBY INJURY SURVEILLANCE PROJECT 

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Stay tuned, and let’s build a safer future for rugby, one step at a time.

- The Pro'Tech Rugby Team

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