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There's a growing controversy surrounding an incident involving Cian Healy

By Ian Cameron
Cian Healy has tapped into some local knowledge in Japan

A global concussion advocate is among those levelling criticism at rugby following an on-field incident involving Cian Healy, in which the Irish loosehead appeared to play on following an alleged head injury.

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Video of the incident appears to show Healy stumble while receiving medical attention before moments later returning to play, as onrushing players approached where he was receiving treatment.

Christopher Nowinski – co-founder and executive director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation – criticised the failure of those involved to pause the game after a video of the incident surfaced on Twitter.

“This the kind of worst-case scenario that should lead to an immediate rule change or training and punishment,” said Nowinski. “Someone has to be able to stop this game or get the presumably concussed player out of harms ways.”

Nowinski was reacting to a video posted by Cahair O’Kane, which has been viewed over 100,000 times.

Concussion campaigner Peter Robinson – the father of rugby player Ben Robinson who died following two concussive incidents – then posted another video which appeared to show an accidental blow to Healy’s head when he attempted to tackle Scottish fullback Stuart Hogg.

Criticism was leveled at the medical staff who were treating Healy and who appeared to let him return to play.

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He didn’t undergo a HIA and returned to play in the second-half. Ireland went on to win the game, before being crowned Six Nations Champions a few hours later following England’s loss to France in the Stade de France.

It is not the first HIA issue of the tournament.

The Six Nations launched a ‘review’ of France’s HIA protocols following the opening France Ireland match in Paris on February 3rd. Tournament organisers then issued the findings of their review which effectively cleared all involved in the two incidents of any impropriety or any attempt by the French to gain a competitive edge.

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The review did however confirm that neither player was concussed in either incident. The two incidents caused an uproar among fans, pundits and former players on social media, many of whom branded it as an attempt by the French to gain an advantage.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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