Bill Beaumont pens open letter just hours after World Rugby receives concussion legal case papers
Bill Beaumont has followed up Thursday’s issuing of a joint statement by World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union with an open letter insisting player welfare is the No1 priority at every level of the sport.
A pre-action letter of claim from Rylands Law on behalf of players, including retired England hooker Steve Thompson and ex-Wales back row Alix Popham, was delivered to World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU on Thursday morning following last week’s dramatic revelations about the damaging long-term effects concussion had had on them.
The basis of the claim made on behalf of the nine test cases – Rylands Law say they are talking to over 130 more retired players – is that the sport’s governing bodies failed to provide sufficient protection from the risks caused by concussion.
In response, former England skipper Beaumont, who was re-elected for a second term as World Rugby chairman last May, opted to write an open letter in an effort to reassure people play welfare is foremost in the minds of the game’s administrators.
Beaumont began: “As World Rugby chairman, a former player, father of three rugby players, and a fan, I’m saddened by recent accounts of former players and their experiences. My thoughts are with them and anyone in the rugby family who is struggling.
Case takes another step forward https://t.co/fsm3X9BY6k
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 17, 2020
“I want to reassure every member of the rugby family that player welfare is – and always has been – our No1 priority at all levels of the game. As a player who retired on medical advice in the early 1980s, I care deeply about the welfare of all players. They are the heartbeat of our sport and we work tirelessly to protect them.
“I have listened to the recent accounts of retired players and appreciate it is not easy for them to speak so candidly about their personal and family circumstances. It is very clear they love the game and want it to be the best it can be. I can reassure them that we do too, and we continue to welcome their views.
“As a former player, I have actively participated in long-term cognitive health research. I’m personally committed to growing the science available so that we can to continue to shape our understanding of how best to safeguard the wellbeing of our players. I believe that we are at the forefront of evidence-based concussion education, prevention and management in sport.
“It’s clear, however, that the area of concussion and long-term cognitive health is extremely complex. We have continuously acted on research and scientific information as it has become available. The science continues to evolve, and we will evolve with it.
“In the elite game, the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) concussion identification and management tool, combined with comprehensive tournament medical standards and a medically supervised return-to-play protocol have transformed the identification, removal and supervision of players with concussion. It’s great to see other sports following this model.
“But it’s not just on the field that counts. I believe that managing player load – training, playing and conditioning – is critical to tackling injuries, and that is why we launched research-based player load guidance in 2018.
“Community rugby is the foundation of our sport and at this mass participation level, preparation and technique are key to injury prevention. Programmes such as Rugby Ready and Activate play a leading role in preparing players – young and old – for training and playing.
“I believe everyone should learn more about the symptoms and consequences of concussion – we encourage people to download our recognise and remove concussion education app. Any player suspected of having a concussion should be removed from the game. That decision should not be left to the player.
“We have been deeply saddened to hear the brave personal accounts from former players"https://t.co/KvQM3UEsvr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 17, 2020
“We must not, and do not, stand still. We commission, fund and collaborate on numerous research projects that will ultimately benefit players at all levels. This is our duty, and we take it very seriously.
“World Rugby is not simply an organisation; it is a global community. One which is made up of millions who love the game of rugby. We are players, referees, trainers, coaches, medics, physios, administrators, fans, volunteers and parents. In the months ahead, we will not lose sight of the people and families who have bravely spoken up.
“Both the game and the level of player care and welfare have evolved significantly since my playing days and, while we are never complacent, I have witnessed first-hand how advances in science and medicine have informed our protection of players.
“Today, as a parent and a grandparent, I believe the safeguards in rugby are in place. As an administrator, I will continue to lead on safety and do all I can to maintain the confidence and wellbeing of those who love playing the game.
“The world benefits from and needs the positive social value of sport. As societal mental health issues rise, I believe the rugby community can play a significant role in helping individuals feel they belong and contribute to something positive as part of a team.
“The positive health and wellbeing benefits – from physical exercise, increasing confidence, self-esteem and self-discipline – are felt at all ages.
“Rugby is physical – it’s also open and inclusive – and the experience of working and growing as part of a team is something that I believe, with the responsible protection in place, is a great source of positivity in life for all.
“Find out more about World Rugby’s player welfare programmes and to download the recognise and remove concussion education app, please visit www.playerwelfare.worldrugby.org.”
"This isn’t like a doom and a scaremongering story, these guys have families and they are genuinely struggling"
– Ex-England captain Dylan Hartley on last week's Steve Thompson and co revelations #RPOffloadhttps://t.co/Xm5Jy5xRgm
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 17, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments