大象传媒

How safe is rugby and is there too much emphasis on physical impact?

鈥淚t's not a quantitative issue - its a qualitative issue鈥� said Denis Hickie, former Ireland player.

"The types of injuries that the players have got in this world cup is over-and-above what we've seen before"

The NFL is paying up to $5 million per player affected by head trauma, and according to Dr Barry O'Driscoll, former medical team member of World Governing Bodies, rugby may be headed in the same direction with regard to their concussion protocol.

"We have followed every step of the NFL with our denials," he said.

"I think we will have to pay the same price."