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Player welfare is World Rugby’s number one priority so it is something that can be found in every aspect of the governing body’s work. PLAYER WELFARE AT HEART OF WORLD RUGBY’S WORKABOVETeam medics and match-day doctors participating at RWC 2019 will comply with leading medical standardsWhether it’s the laws of the game, regulations, strength and conditioning programmes, Rugby Ready/Passport, coaching or officiating, player welfare is at the centre of all decisions made by the federation.And within the area of player welfare, concussion is a hugely important subject that is being addressed. World Rugby’s ongoing concussion education campaign has managed to change the entire culture around this injury at all levels of the game and the message is simple – learn to recognise the signs of a suspected concussion and then remove the player from play immediately and permanently.Players, coaches, parents, match officials and team support personnel have been learning what those symptoms are and then insisting that players who are affected do not continue to play.Rugby World Cup 2015 set new standards of medical care on and off the field but the work did not stop during 2016 as we look ahead to the next tournament in Japan. All team medics and match-day doctors participating at RWC 2019 will be expected to undertake, pass and comply with robust and leading medical standards in this critical area. Among the key achievements for Japan in 2016 are the introduction of head injury assessments (HIA) in all Top League games and the delivery of a comprehensive suite of courses on player welfare.Another advancement made by World Rugby in 2016 was the participation in the fifth International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport in Berlin, with Chairman Bill Beaumont (right)attending as part of the delegation.Concussion education, prevention, management and research is a major priority for World Rugby and strong 66 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2016EDUCATE | PLAYER WELFARE