Fourth rugby player dies in France in space of eight months after losing consciousness following tackle
This article was sourced from www.independent.co.uk
Student player Nathan Soyeux was placed into a coma last November after being injured during a match, with doctors confirming he passed away on Monday.
A fourth rugby player has died in France in the space of eight months due to injuries sustained in a match.
Nathan Soyeux, a 23-year-old university student at ESIREM Graduate School of Materials Engineering, Sustainable Development and Computer Science in Dijon, was injured while being tackled by an opponent in a match on 24 November last year.
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As one of 28 signatories in the letter, ex-England forward Haskell has claimed: “The game needs to change things. We could do so much more to look after players. Why do we do so much contact in training when there is no need? So much gets brushed under the carpet.
“It’s only when it affects you and someone you know, you actually start to take notice. But paying lip service to it has to stop because we are getting these neurological effects when people are young – some even younger than me. If players like my old teammate Dylan Hartley have concerns over whether they get early-onset dementia, we need to take a stand.”
A statement from World Rugby in response to the Progressive Rugby launch read: “The welfare of the global rugby family is, and has always been, World Rugby’s priority. We take our responsibility very seriously and care deeply about our past, present and future players.
“That is why we ensure that players are at the heart of our discussions through International Rugby Players, and that is why we value and welcome constructive debate, respect opinions and listen to suggestions that advance welfare.
“We are progressive, which is why as scientific and medical knowledge and societal understanding continue to evolve, rugby evolves with it. We are always guided by medical and scientific consensus to inform our concussion education, prevention and management strategies.
“Clearly these members of our rugby family love the game and want it to be the best it can be. We do too. We are encouraged that the group are championing a number of initiatives that are already operational or being considered and we are open to constructive discussions with them regarding their proposals.”