By Daily Sports on December 23, 2016

The safety and health of rugby players is under intense scrutiny after George North -- one of the sport's global stars -- was knocked unconscious during a game but was later allowed to return to the field of play.

And a leading doctor, who has played international rugby, has gone as far as to suggest the sport's system for dealing with head injuries "isn't fit for purpose."

Dr. Barry O'Driscoll, who works in general practice in Cheshire, has criticized governing body World Rugby's concussion protocols, and says that North's case exposes flaws in the assessment procedure of head injuries.

"World Rugby are totally to blame for this," O'Driscoll, who played international rugby for Ireland, told Thursday's CNN World Sport show.

Thanks for all the messages. I am ok. I landed on my neck and was worried about it. Thanks to the medics for checking me out properly. 1/2

 O'Driscoll, who also sits on rugby and tennis anti-doping bodies, resigned from his role as World Rugby medical adviser in 2012 due to his disagreement with the in-game medical protocols surrounding concussion.

"For the last four years they have experimented with a return to play protocol for a player who has shown signs and symptoms of concussion, and this protocol is not fit for purpose," he added.

World Rugby declined to give a statement to CNN, but last month its CEO Brett Gosper told World Sport that "player welfare is our No. 1 priority."

"We do so much in the area of prevention, treatment, management, education around player welfare, we believe the sport has never been safer to play," he said. (CNN.com)

•Photo shows George North being attended to on the pitch

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 23, 2016

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