What is my role if I think a player is concussed?

RFU Regulation 9 applies Recognise and Remove in all community adult and age grade matches: "If in doubt, sit them out."

• Any player showing one or more signs or symptoms of concussion must be removed from the field immediately and permanently, and must not return to play that day. There is no HIA or temporary replacement for head injuries in community rugby.
• Match officials, like coaches, team-mates and team managers, must do their best to make sure a player with suspected concussion is removed as quickly and safely as possible.
• Signs to look for include: loss of consciousness, lying motionless or slow to get up, unsteady on feet, dazed or blank look, slow to respond, confusion about play, clutching the head, an impact seizure, tonic posturing, or vomiting.
• If a neck injury is suspected, the player should only be moved by healthcare professionals with appropriate training.
• Red flags (loss of consciousness, worsening drowsiness or confusion, seizure, repeated vomiting, severe neck pain, new weakness or double vision) need urgent medical assessment onsite or at A&E, using a 999 ambulance if needed.

The player should then be assessed by an onsite healthcare professional or via NHS 111 within 24 hours, and must complete the HEADCASE Graduated Return to Activity and Sport programme: no return to play before Day 21.

Any injury that leads to an overnight hospital admission must also be reported to the RFU through its injury reporting system (Regulation 9.9); this is a duty on the club and those arranging the match.