Monday 26 March 2018 10:57, UK
Injuries in English rugby are on the rise, both in terms of their frequency and severity, according to a report.
The data - provided by the Professional Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (PRISP) - also shows concussion is the most common injury, while 47% of match injuries are linked to tackling.
The PRISP report has led to the RFU, Premiership Rugby (PRL) and Rugby Players' Association (RPA) developing the Professional Game Action Plan on Player Injuries, endorsed by the Professional Game Board (PGB).
They call for a range of prevention initiatives in the wake of rising injuries and have also commissioned a number of reports to study the issues further.
The action plan includes English rugby liaising with World Rugby to review laws, reduce concussion, consider reducing the tackle height limit and identifying technical changes to make tackling safer.
Analysis has also been commissioned on referee decision making, optimal match and training loads, contact exposure and the impact of artificial pitches on injuries.
The PRISP report also suggests World Rugby's new directives on high-tackles have had no impact on reducing injuries in the English game.
