Former international Alex Corbisiero voices player welfare concerns
This article is by Progressive Rugby
Former England and British and Irish Lions prop Alex Corbisiero has revealed that he too has concerns over the current Return to Play (RTP) protocol following concussion.
Corbisiero, who won 31 caps for England, and played a pivitol role in the 2-1 Lions series victory over Australia in 2013 commented on a social media post by Progressive Rugby regarding fellow Lion and Wales centre Jamie Roberts.
In an interview with the Guardian to promote his new book Roberts said he believes that sooner rather than later, concussed players will have to wait longer than six days to return to play.
Roberts, who currently play for the Dragons and is a qualified doctor, said:
“It doesn’t sit well with me. I think it has to be two weeks, I really do. I’ve been that player fighting all week to pass my protocols because you don’t want to let your teammates down. That decision should be taken out of players’ hands.”
Corbisiero, who played for Northampton Saints and London Irish, subsequently commented on the post stating: “The one week (6 days) Return to Play has never sat well with me either.”
He then underlined his advocacy for player welfare by commenting on the Bath team announcement for Gloucester in the Premiership Cup on 12th November, saying: “Tom Dunn has played in every Prem game this season for Bath and now starting in the Prem Cup. I thought these were rest weeks for the Prem regulars? Still A LOT of rugby to go this season!”
Hooker Dunn has featured in the matchday squad for each of Bath’s first seven games, starting in four of them and entering the fray no later than 59 minutes into the game in the rest.
Dunn, who was captain of a inexperienced side went on to play most of the game as Bath suffered a chastening 71-10 defeat to a Gloucester side that featured a dozen regulars.
“The one week (6 days) Return to Play has never sat well with me either.”