Tommy Bowe hails ‘inspiration’ Caelan Doris for handling of concussion issues
This article is sourced from www.extra.ie/
Irish rugby legend Tommy Bowe has hailed Caelan Doris as an ‘inspiration’ for his proactivity in dealing with his concussion issues last season.
Doris took action by seeking medical help when he noticed worrying concussion symptoms earlier this year.
The Leinster back-rower consequently missed out on five months of action — including the 2021 Six Nations Championship — as he took precautionary steps to ensure his safe return.
Grand Slam winner Bowe praised Doris for putting his health before his career -– something that is not always done in the sport.
‘It is great to see Caelan Doris coming out and being so open about the concussion issues he had,’ Bowe told Extra.ie at the launch of Sport Ireland’s Let’s Get Back campaign in association with Healthy Ireland.
‘In years gone by, concussion would have been the type of thing — if you got a ding on the head — you’d not tell the doctor about and just carry on with.
‘He’s been very open and that is brilliant for young rugby players and sportspeople in general. Concussion is something we all need to take on board now.
‘So when we see someone like Doris — who is in the prime of his career — stepping aside and making that call rather than waiting for a doctor to pull him aside is really important.’
Bowe believes the onus is on players to put their hand up — as in the case of Doris — when dealing with head injuries. Unlike other injuries, head trauma can be difficult to diagnose.
He noted that players can be reluctant to do so when the competition for positions is so intense.
‘The problem with concussion is that if you take a knock on the head a doctor can’t see it,’ Bowe said.
‘It is not like a broken bone or a cut.
‘It is up to the players really to make the decision to step aside and flag it and that is hard when you are competing vigorously with someone for your position. You don’t want to give them a chance.
‘So, Doris stepping up and speaking like that is a real inspiration.’
The discussion around concussion in rugby has grown considerably -– notably since former World Cup winner and England star Steve Thompson revealed his dementia diagnosis at the age of 42.
Thompson is one of a number of players who are suing World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union for brain injuries which they claim are the result of multiple concussions from their playing days.
Meanwhile, it was reported on Wednesday that a group of former Rugby League players are set to sue the Rugby Football League.
Players from England, Scotland and Wales allege that the organisation failed in its duty to ‘take reasonable for their safety by establishing and implementing rules in respect of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of actual of suspected concussive and sub-concussive injuries.’
Reflecting on his own career, Bowe is happy with the safety protocols that were in place but still has to hope that he suffers from no long-term effects.
‘Thankfully I didn’t have to stick my head into too many rucks but I’d a few knocks to my head of course,’ Bowe said.
‘Just from bad tackle technique or simple things when you get a knock on the head and are seeing stars.
‘Of course (my future health) is a worry and something you’d be aware of.
‘But I’ve to say, from the start to the end of my career, it was something that was managed very well.
‘The protocols put in place towards the end of my career were massive compared to the start but it is great to see the awareness (nowadays).
‘I was managed very well and there was the return-to-play protocols but even I remember taking a knock to the head when I played U21s for Ireland in 2003 and I got sent to see a neurosurgeon about it. That is going back a long time.
‘All I can do is touch wood and hope that I don’t have any long-lasting conditions but unfortunately I don’t know.
‘You just have to hope that you’re not one of the unlucky ones.’
Caelan Doris
“It is up to the players really to make the decision to step aside and flag it and that is hard when you are competing vigorously with someone for your position. You don’t want to give them a chance.”