Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Dementia in rugby: Rugby Football Union chief accepts language shift needed

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Sunday, 13 December 2020 04:41

The head of the Rugby Football Union accepts a shift in tone and language from Eddie Jones and his England team may be necessary to help the game's image in light of the dementia crisis.

But RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney admits "use of words is important".

"I think that is a fair point," Sweeney told BBC Sport.

"We all know that rugby is a physical sport, and normally whoever physically dominates in a game, particularly at the elite end, will tend to come out on top."

But, he added: "In terms of how it [the game] is portrayed, use of words is important."

Two former England internationals, hooker Steve Thompson and flanker Michael Lipman, have both been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and are launching legal proceedings against the game's governing bodies.

However, Sweeney is confident the England squad of today are well looked after and protected by the current coaching and medical staff.

"Eddie is absolutely committed to the wellbeing and safety of those players; he loves that squad so he would not do anything that would compromise the safety of that squad," Sweeney said.

"Every conversation around the game has a major player welfare component to it. I spoke to one of the players from the current squad, to test that out."

He said he was aware players could just tell the CEO what they think he wants to hear, but added: "In this case, I think I got the truth."

And while the intensity of Jones' training sessions are well renowned, Sweeney believes England's elite players are not being put through any undue stress when in camp.

"There was one particular bad year [for injuries] - around 2017/2018 - but I've been to a couple of training sessions this year and there is very little physical contact involved," he said.

"You might get a freak occurrence, but I don't personally think [the sessions] are that physical."

Read 338 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated