[2015 Six Nations] England

[LiRFCMatt]

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It's up to you mate, sorry not meaning to have a go it's great you are doing a blog and you should be encouraged, I've read some of the things you've posted and found it interesting.

I don't think anyone really minds the occasional link, as long as you're not trying to lead the discussion to your blog every time which is how it feels right now.

Personally I started a "Rugby Analysis" thread and put all mine there (my website is primarily video analysis), your welcome to put them in there, but i try to put other things in there so it's not all me - posts stuff by Kinsella and Morgan and anything else i find.

No I do appreciate it, thanks!

 

[thechosenfamily]

Personally I think there should be a rule that regardless of concussion test, if you have sustained multiple significant knocks to the head, you should not be allowed back on the field.
The system needs such additional protocols because by their very nature, players are competitors and will desperately want to get back onto the field, and thus more likely to emphasize that they're ok. Medical staff need to be able to manage the expectations of players who want to get back on the field straight away.

For anyone interested, there was a program on BBC radio 4 last night about concussion in sport, called something like 'Spoil Sports' - interesting and alarming stuff.

Certainly if a player has been knocked spark out as was the case here he should be immediately withdrawn as a precaution.

 

[goodNumber10]

World Rugby ruling on the North incident:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31360525

Wales wing George North should not have remained on the field after a blow to the head in the 21-16 loss to England, according to rugby's governing body.
TV replays appeared to show North, 22, knocked unconscious by a clash of heads in the 61st minute.
However, World Rugby accept the Wales team medical staff did not see the incident.
They are also investigating whether television technology could be used to identify head injuries.

 

[RedruthRFC]

World Rugby ruling on the North incident:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31360525

Interesting and I believe fair.

In hindsight, I think I was naively sucked in by these protocols, it now appears that they were inadequate. It seems incredible that those responsible for setting World Rugby's protocols thinks that relying on individuals with other responsibilities who may be 50 years away from the incident with their view blocked is sufficient when video feeds are so readily available.

It's also interesting to hear Barry O'Driscoll describe the 10 minute assessment system as "tokenism".I know he has a certain agenda, but if he's right in what he says, then surely it really is time to go back to the drawing board.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Surely there needs to be a non-affiliated medical professional (and a room which no coaching staff can access) at every professional match, who would be the only person who has any involvement with concussion protocols and decisions. A small expense / administrative inconvenience compared to a huge improvement in player safety. I've also always thought that concussion subs shouldn't count as part of the limit, and should allow players to return to the field - just to minimise the temptation to keep concussed players on.

 

[g6mcg]

Surely there needs to be a non-affiliated medical professional (and a room which no coaching staff can access) at every professional match, who would be the only person who has any involvement with concussion protocols and decisions. A small expense / administrative inconvenience compared to a huge improvement in player safety. I've also always thought that concussion subs shouldn't count as part of the limit, and should allow players to return to the field - just to minimise the temptation to keep concussed players on.

One of the arguments I've heard against that is that team doctors know the players' medical history. Not knowing anything about healthcare I don't know how relevant/useful that information is, but presumably an independent professional could work with a team doctor.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Does (or should) medical history have any effect on the concussion protocols, though? Genuine question, I don't know, but it seems to me that either you are OK to play this minute or you're not, what's happened in the past is irrelevant to that decision. I guess a history of bangs to the head might make a doctor more cautious on borderline cases, which would make involving the team doctor in the discussion sensible.

Either way, maybe removing the team doctor from the process is counter-productive but I certainly think a neutral, WR-appointed medical specialist should have final say including power of veto on a player returning to the field - and that that should extend, in serious cases, to a player's date of return following a concussion incident.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nope, it's about knowing what someone's normal manner is.

How do you know if they're acting differently, if you don't know what they're normally like?

 

[Every Time Ref]

Is that what the protocols are though? I was under the impression they were more along the lines of cognitive ability tests, something objective? Or is it a mix of both?

 

[Maverick1987]

Burrell is a brilliant distributer, just because he is big people assume he doesn't pass.

He has a very good long and short passing game and at the saints is often a play maker.

Tuilagi just doesn't pass, when he played 12 in South Africa he didn't actually pass at all the whole game.....

Burrell is a 12 and tuilagi is a 13, can't really compare them for their clubs and they at a very different style.

Meh he's a reasonable distributor used at club level in a large centre partnership with pisi . A brilliant distributor to me has a sexton like passing and running manner . He is a powerful player with a good short pass and is pretty quick for his size . I actually really like Burrell to be fair . If I was England I'd make Tuilagi go away and improve his short passing, offloading and kicking . If he does that he would come in for me at 12 in a Nonu like role . When Tuilagi is playing well there just isn't anyone else in world rugby that can do what he can (NZ game back in 2012) I think he and JJ can build a really good partnership but I also think Burrell and JJ can too . I'd fell more comfortable if Burrells tackling technique wasn't extremely poor tbh .

All in all both have things to work on but I'd rather Tuilagi .... Just my opinion

 

[ratsapprentice]

Is that what the protocols are though? I was under the impression they were more along the lines of cognitive ability tests, something objective? Or is it a mix of both?

They are, but how someone acts is very important too, if you have no experience of dealing with that person previously then your ability to asses whether or not they are entirely lucid is compromised.

 

[goodNumber10]

David Wilson out for the entire Six Nations:

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/wilson-ruled-out-rbs-nations/

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's a blow,
Hopefully he comes through fit and firing and ready for the world cup.

Almost a blessing, in a way, as we get to give our 3rd choice Tighthead some more game time in the run up to the RWC, where depth is tested.

 

[goodNumber10]

yeah, feel more sorry for Wilson than us... must be a very frustrating injury.

 

[Maverick1987]

yeah, feel more sorry for Wilson than us... must be a very frustrating injury.

Definitely ! He's forced his way to effectively being our premier TH . Then gets injured if Dan Cole plays well and England win the tournament or dare I say it the grand slam Cole is almost certain to start the RWC as first choice

 

[Willodell100]

Definitely ! He's forced his way to effectively being our premier TH . Then gets injured if Dan Cole plays well and England win the tournament or dare I say it the grand slam Cole is almost certain to start the RWC as first choice

I'd just like to add my condolences for Davey Wilson. He really gave our pack a truly solid foundation when we needed it.

I have to admit too that I am a convert as I didn't rate him at all up until he stepped up for Dan Cole. Arguably our most consistent performer along with our captain.

I have to worry for him though as Kieron Brookes looks like the real deal too and learning fast.

 

[Maverick1987]

I'd just like to add my condolences for Davey Wilson. He really gave our pack a truly solid foundation when we needed it.

I have to admit too that I am a convert as I didn't rate him at all up until he stepped up for Dan Cole. Arguably our most consistent performer along with our captain.

I have to worry for him though as Kieron Brookes looks like the real deal too and learning fast.

Agreed but there's no substitute for experience . He will be back and raring to go in the summer ! Who are we playing this year in the summer tests ?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Think we play ireland and France at home then France away?
I think those are the rwc warm ups anyway, I presume there's no summer tour this year?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Rumours were that we might be playing against the Eagles if we go off to the States to do a bit of fitness, even if it's just informal.

Supposedly the new s&c guy wants to take them out to the same place he took the Waratahs at the beginning of last season.
It's worth noting that his impact might be having an effect, I'm going to be keeping an eye out on the team's fitness this tournament.

Good article from Healey: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ld-Cup-winners-its-boring-and-irrelevant.html
Most will agree, I think.

 

[goodNumber10]

Rumours were that we might be playing against the Eagles if we go off to the States to do a bit of fitness, even if it's just informal.

Supposedly the new s&c guy wants to take them out to the same place he took the Waratahs at the beginning of last season.
It's worth noting that his impact might be having an effect, I'm going to be keeping an eye out on the team's fitness this tournament.

Good article from Healey: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...ld-Cup-winners-its-boring-and-irrelevant.html
Most will agree, I think.

very much.

I think Healey is a very astute analyst/pundit. I get he can be annoying but i've warmed to him and his columns often have a lot of sense even if i don't always agree with him, and i think his in game analysis is absolutely brilliant, it's one thing sitting and going through a game 24 hours later, but he picks things up in real time that very few people can.

If you haven't read his biography it's worth it.