For the second time this season, we've been to a West Regional game where a player has gone off with a head injury, and subsequently returned to the field of play.
On both occasions, a member of the opposition sideline queried the player returning to the field, and each time the referee replied the player had passed an HIA.
We want to point out that in domestic rugby games in Scotland, HIAs are not a thing, and that no player should be allowed to return to the field of play if they are suspected of having a concussion.
The Concussion Policy published by Scottish Rugby states that HIA are "not permitted in Scottish domestic club competitions", but as is the norm with policies, we're guessing most folk won't have read this 12 page document.
Based on the feedback we've had over the weekend, there seems to be a lack of knowledge of this part of the policy.
So we're going to ramp up our regular weekly message of "If in doubt, sit them out" and remind people that HIAs are not a thing in the Club game.
So please, please, please, if any of your players suffers a suspected concussion, do not encourage them to go back on the pitch, or allow them back on even if they think they're fine. The Recognise & Remove Protocol is what you and they must follow.
It's all well and good wanting to win a game, but what's the point of winning if one of your mates is slumped on the floor when you get out of the shower due to Second-impact Sydrome.
Second-impact syndrome is a thing, and folk are dying as a result. (1)(2)
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