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World Rugby’s number one priority is player welfare and major initiatives in 2015 saw the federation further its protection and education of the rugby community at all levels of the game as rugby continued to play a leading role in sports medicine and athlete welfare. Rugby World Cup 2015 leads the way with ground-breaking standards of care for playersRugby World Cup 2015 was widely hailed as the biggest and best to date, a record-breaker on every level. Importantly, it was also the most advanced in terms of player welfare, ensuring the world’s top players had access to the very best possible level of care. 84 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2015World Rugby continues to drive forward programmes that enhance the welfare of players at all levels of the game as the sport continues to protect and support its community.LEFTNew Zealand’s Kieran Read receives treatment during the RWC 2015 finalRIGHTThe best possible level of care was offered to players during RWC 2015BELOWRWC 2015 was the most advanced yet in terms of player welfarePLAYER WELFARE ADVANCES PUT PLAYERS FIRSTIn addition to these pre-tournament education requirements the Player Welfare Standards included: • Medical assessment to confirm players were medically, physically and mentally fit to participate • Completion of cardiac screening, including ECG • Completion of concussion education to all team members – players, coaches and team management • Completion of baseline concussion assessment – as a minimum SCAT 3 was compulsory with teams encouraged to also include computer neuro-cognitive baselines • Completion of concussion risk stratification on all players • Confirmation that all medical staff, coaches and team management would comply with World Rugby’s “immediate and permanent” and “temporary” removal criteria for head impact events • Acknowledgement that an Untoward Incident Review system was in place during RWC 2015 for potential medical mismanagement issues • Acknowledgement that the independent match-day doctor had the power to unilaterally remove an injured player from further match participation. The success in the player welfare area was underpinned by the introduction of Player Welfare Standards for RWC 2015. These standards were introduced into the legally binding Terms of Participation, which were signed by all 20 participating teams. These Player Welfare Standards, a first for international sport, resulted in all on-field and support medical and healthcare professional staff complying with all education requirements. The base education included four online modules – Match Day Medical Staff (MDMS), Concussion for elite MDMS, Keep Rugby Clean (anti-doping) and Keep Rugby Onside (anti-corruption). Base education also included completion of World Rugby’s two-day Level 2 Immediate Care in Rugby course. RUGBY BUILDS CHARACTER | PLAYER WELFARE