Six Nations statement: Tomas Francis' concussion versus England
Six Nations officials have published their investigation into the concussion controversy over Wales prop Tomas Francis, who was allowed to play against England at Twickenham on February 26 despite a serious-looking head knock. He was then cleared by his country to start in the round four match versus France 13 days later.
The incident led to widespread criticism of the game’s authorities and even this Wednesday the Rugby International Players’ union reported that they voiced concerns to both World Rugby and the Six Nations over the way the hot topic concussion issue was being handled.
Six Nations have now published their findings and determined that Francis should have been immediately removed from play and should not have been permitted to return following his head injury assessment. However, the organisation added that it will not be taking any subsequent disciplinary action against the people who allowed Francis to return to play on in London.
Their statement read: “During the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham, Wales prop forward Tomas Francis was involved in making a tackle that resulted in a clash of heads.
“Francis temporarily left the field, as per head injury assessment (HIA) protocols, where he was assessed by the independent match day doctor before returning to the pitch. Following the conclusion of the match, and in accordance with the Six Nations Rugby HIA protocol and World Rugby’s relevant regulations, Six Nations Rugby referred the incident to an HIA review panel for further consideration.
“The areas to be determined by the HIA review panel: Were any criteria one (as listed in World Rugby’s HIA protocol here) indications present and missed, that would have led to the permanent removal of Francis from the field of play (rather than subject to temporary HIA)?
“And If findings concluded that Francis should have been immediately and permanently removed from the field, why that did not happen?
“In accordance with the Six Nations HIA protocol and World Rugby’s relevant regulations, the HIA review panel appointed to consider the incident comprised of Pamela Woodman (chair), Donal Courtney, Dr Martin Raftery (World Rugby), Dr Rod McLoughlin (independent), as well as Dr Simon Kemp (RFU) and Prabhat Mathema (WRU).
“The HIA review panel was responsible for reviewing the evidence available to them, including detailed statements from the Wales medical team and the independent match day doctor, who was on duty at the match, as well as a number of video clips of varying lengths, speeds and angles.
“The HIA review panel concluded that in this instance one or more criteria one indications had been present that should have resulted in Francis being immediately and permanently removed from play.
“As part of the review process, the panel found that a number of factors appeared to have contributed to the failure to identify these indications that ultimately led to Francis not being removed from the field of play. As such, a set of recommendations has been put forward by the panel, that warrants consideration.
“The panel highlighted that it had the benefit of time for review of the video footage and the other materials at length, without any match-day pressure, and also had access to more camera angles and clips than the match-day medical team.
“The HIA review panel made no recommendations in respect of disciplinary action against those involved in the relevant incident, and Six Nations Rugby Limited will not be taking any subsequent disciplinary action.
“While all but point g in the recommendations listed below are included within the World Rugby HIA process and supporting education modules, Six Nations will be working in collaboration with its unions and World Rugby to take appropriate action to reinforce and implement any steps to mitigate the risk of a similar instance occurring again.”
Recommendations Provided by The HIA Review Panel:
a. Video footage of an incident that has the potential to result in a concussive injury (potential HIA incident) should be viewed by the responsible doctor from (i) the incident in question to (ii) return to play of the player (or, if earlier, to when the player was removed from the pitch for an HIA). This is not a new recommendation, but it is worth reinforcing and restating.
b. For any potential HIA incident occurring in the first half, half time should be utilised by the responsible doctor(s) to (re-)review video footage of any potential HIA incident(s). Again, this is not a new recommendation but is worth reinforcing and restating.
c. As part of the training for video feed operators referred to in paragraph 7(d) (of the Six Nations 2022 head injury assessment and concussion protocol), the home union at whose ground the fixture is being played should ensure that they are aware of the need for video footage (and so any clips) of any potential HIA incident to cover the period from (i) the incident in question to (ii) return to play of the player (or, if earlier, to when the player was removed from the pitch for an HIA).
d. At least annually, the video services provider should ensure that their on-site technicians receive rugby union-specific training (which, if so required by World Rugby and may be developed by World Rugby in order to ensure consistency across competitions), including (but not limited to) training on the need for video footage (and so any clips) of any potential HIA incident to cover the period from (i) the incident in question to (ii) return to play of the player (or, if earlier, to when the player was removed from the pitch for an HIA).
e. At the pre-match medical meeting, the respective roles and responsibilities of the different medical personnel (including the medical room personnel, such as the medical room video Reviewer) should be agreed upon, including for a situation where more than one potential HIA incident and/or other injury require to be dealt with at or around the same time and any handover process as between medical personnel which may be required as a result.
f. If the match day doctor has primary responsibility for undertaking the off-field screen and, upon conclusion of an HIA, he/she assesses that the player may return to play, it should be considered if the process should be amended to include that the player is not to be permitted to return to play unless the team doctor of that player has also reviewed the video footage (as referred to in point a. above) and, based on the video footage review (as opposed to a direct clinical assessment of the player), is satisfied that there is no obvious reason why the player should not return to play.
g. Appropriate minimum standards for the size of screen(s) and number of screen(s) available pitch-side for video footage review should be set by the relevant competition or tournament organiser.
h. Where reasonably possible (based on the available infrastructure at the stadium in question), the medical/video room should not be accessed by anyone other than the medical team and any players who are undergoing an HIA or other medical treatment, except (where there is good reason for such access) with the express permission of a member of the medical team.
i. The calibration/training video interpretation session on the five-step video review process for a potential HIA incident, including case studies from unions/competitions for interpretation and discussion at the session, should be reinstated and undertaken on an annual basis.
Comments on RugbyPass
Did footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to comments