Wavell Wakefield wears an old-school scrum cap
This episode is the first of a two-part special looking at the history of rugby union's changing attitude towards head injuries in the men’s game. The sight of Wales' Tomas Francis staggering around Twickenham during February's England-Wales match after a head clash has reignited the debate about rugby's treatment of concussion.
I also have to declare a personal interest as I've done historical research on concussion and rugby for Ryland's Law, the solicitors acting on behalf of the players who are currently taking legal action against the rugby authorities.
We go back to the 1970s and look at the discussion in international rugby union about concussion and its long-term impacts, examine what was known within rugby, and what neurological experts were telling the leaders of the game. In part two, we’ll discuss how those attitudes and policies changed for the worse.