Thursday 2 June 2016 08:34, UK
Former England internationals will be part of the next phase of a study examining the long-terms effects of playing rugby on brain health.
In conjunction with academics from a number of leading universities and colleges, the Rugby Football Union is participating in a study of the possible link between concussions and neurodegenerative disease in rugby players.
England captain Dylan Hartley recently revealed that he feared his career in the sport would be brought to an end by a third concussion - he has missed 14 weeks because of the previous two.
The study will follow on from one conducted in the past 18 months by researchers from the Oxford Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, which included a survey of approximately 300 former England players as well as Oxford and Cambridge University players.
Detailed information was collected on their playing history, past injuries including concussions sustained during their career, and their current musculoskeletal and general health.
The second study is designed to assess the potential association between a history of concussion and general and neurological health, and it will involve approximately 200 participants over the age of 50 who participated in the previous research.
Simon Kemp, the RFU's chief medical officer, said: "The RFU has worked extremely hard to increase the education of those involved in the game about concussion and to improve the management of the risk of the injury based on the evidence available.
"The next step for us a union and as a sport is progress beyond delivering 'recognise, remove, recover and return' and try to understand more about the possible longer-term effects on the health of the brain.
"We welcome the support from the Drake Foundation, the academic institutions involved in the project and the former players who will take part in the study."
Former England International Rob Andrew who took part in the first phase of the research, added: "As a former professional rugby player I believe it is really important that we all understand the potential long-term health outcomes from playing the sport at a high level.
"This study will provide an insight into the health of former players, which can only be a good thing in terms of players being more informed, but also helping the sport look at how to manage both the short and long-term risks associated with injury."
