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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Bull

World Rugby’s brain health service finds 25% of ex-players ‘at risk’ of problems

South Africa and Argentina scrummage in September 2024
Argentinian players who play for their country and a club in the Premiership in effect have 12-month seasons, which goes against current advice. Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

A significant number of former elite players who have participated in World Rugby’s new brain health ­service programme have been identified as being “at risk” of cognitive problems in later life.

So far 131 former rugby union players have registered to take part after last April’s launch, although only 65 have completed the process. Of those, one quarter were referred for specialist treatment. The service is not designed to provide a diagnosis, only to provide a risk assessment for former players.

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