Here are the latest rugby stories
Authorities told to treat head impacts on the scale of smoking
A major new study has established "conclusive evidence" of a link between head impacts and degenerative brain disease. Researchers from Harvard University and other institutions have urged sports authorities and governments to treat head impacts as a health threat to children on the scale of smoking.
The bombshell study, reported in the Times, comes in the week formal legal proceedings are being launched by a group of more than 180 rugby players against the game's governing bodies. All those part of the class action lawsuit have suffered some form of brain damage in their careers. They include former Wales captain Ryan Jones, who has been diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 41.
You can read more details on the case here.
Dr Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF), which was involved in the new study, said the work provided “the highest scientific confidence” of a causal link between repeated head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the neurodegenerative condition which can only be diagnosed after death.
“Sport governing bodies should acknowledge that head impacts cause CTE and they should not mislead the public on CTE causation while athletes die, and families are destroyed, by this terrible disease,” Nowinski said.
Dr Adam Finkel, a co-author of the study and a professor at the University of Michigan, added: “This analysis shows it is time to include repetitive head impacts and CTE among child protection efforts like exposure to lead, mercury, smoking, and sunburns.
“Repetitive head impacts and CTE deserve recognition in the global public health discussion of preventable disorders caused by childhood exposures.”
Kiwi coach names Welshman in dream team
New Zealand coaching sensation Scott Robertson has named Welshman Robin McBryde among his dream coaching team.
Crusaders chief Robertson is a serial Super Rugby winner and tipped to be the next All Blacks boss. He has publicly declared his career aim is to win the Rugby World Cup twice - once with the All Blacks and once with another nation.
And, asked to name his ideal coaching team, the man who will lead the Barbarians alongside Ronan O'Gara against New Zealand later this year, told RugbyPass: “I have really enjoyed what Mike Catt has done with Ireland. It’s pretty special, their short passing game, the work off the ball that they do. Robin McBryde, I’d love. I think Steve Borthwick, I just love the way his team has a clear identity.
“He has brought Leicester back to their peak, ‘we’re going to maul, we’re going to scrum, we are going to put pressure on you, we are going to kick you into corners, we are going to defend’ but they can play a bit when they need to as well. He is pretty special in his own unique way. There are a few (coaches I like).”
McBryde is currently forwards coach at Leinster after serving as part of Warren Gatland's coaching team throughout the Kiwi's tenure.
Doddie supports Ed Slater
Doddie Weir and his foundation have offered their support to Gloucester Rugby's Ed Slater who has been diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) at the age of 33.
The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation is raising money to fund research into MND research and will support Slater and his family.
CEO Jill Douglas told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s devastating news. It took us back to when Doddie had his diagnosis.
"To see Ed and his lovely family trying to process this and share it with the club and with their family and friends, it’s been very, very tough.
"He’s an amazing young man, very stoic, very similar in some regards to Doddie in that he is a larger than life character, a big strong rugby fellow.
"But also very aware of the impact that he might be able to have going forward.
"He obviously has to process and deal with his diagnosis himself with his family. But also wants to do what he can to shine a light on this most awful disease and raise awareness and do what he can to help other people who share that diagnosis.”
The 33-year-old Gloucester lock announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect last week, saying: "I will meet this challenge head-on. Ultimately I can’t win but I will fight with everything. Hope is not lost."
Exeter change name of stadium bars after controversy
Exeter Chiefs have renamed the bars at their stadium as part of a move away from their controversial use of Native American imagery and references. The club are rebranding, introducing a new logo from next season.
The bars at the Sandy Park stadium have now been named after castles in Devon. The former Wigwam Bar is now called the Woodbury Castle Bar, and the Pow Wow Bar is the Powderham Castle Bar. The Tomahawk Bar becomes the Dartmouth Castle, and the Buffalo and Bison is changing to the Castle Drogo and the Haldon Belvedere.
The supporter group Exeter Chiefs for Change had led the calls for the club to get rid of their Native American branding.
A number of clubs asked visiting Exeter fans not to wear Native American-themed headdresses to their away matches after criticism of the club's branding by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
In a statement the club said: "With our roots deeply entrenched here in Devon, we are using our new Exeter Chiefs rebrand as the perfect opportunity to rename our bars and catering outlets here at Sandy Park after some of the magnificent castles within the region.
"Castles represent the history, grandeur, and pride we feel about Devon, and we wanted to transmit this on our award-winning match days."
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