Harmful contact in rugby should be banned by schools

Tackles and scrums should be banned on school playing fields, experts have said

According to an opinion piece published by Allyson Pollock and Graham Kirkwood from the Institute of Health at Newcastle University, most injuries in youth rugby are down to the collision elements of the game.

As reported by TES, Allyson and Graham state in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), that ministers should “put the interests of the child before those of corporate professional rugby unions”.

The publication also argues that rugby, along with ice hockey and American football, has the highest concussion rates.

It also suggests that strategies to reduce the risk of concussion, such as the use of mouth guards, are weak.

“Teacher training in the skills of rugby are lacking, as is concussion awareness training," the pair wrote.

The researchers have called on the UK's chief medical officers to advise the government to remove "harmful contact" from the game.