Rugby Struggles with Concussion Non-Disclosure at All Levels: Research Points to the Need for Improved Reporting Systems

Rugby has become increasingly popular worldwide, especially since its re-introduction into the Olympics in 2016 and confirmation for inclusion in the LA Olympics in 2028. 

But with this rise in popularity and interest, rugby players and stakeholders must be aware of the high risks of concussion in the sport. 

And community rugby is no exception. Community rugby makes up 60% of all rugby participation. When it comes to concussions, new research confirms that they are common and too often go unreported at the community level.

In today’s blog, we will highlight recent research that investigates not only the rates of non-disclosure but also the motivations why rugby players choose not to report concussions. 

Alarming Rates of Concussion Non-Disclosure in Rugby 

First and foremost, community rugby had the highest rates of concussion compared to professional and school-level rugby, according to a meta-analysis of 37 different research studies. (1)

This is alarming! 

In a research study of 1,037 community-level rugby players (average age of 36 years and 41% female), researchers found that nearly one-third had intentionally not reported a concussion. In addition, over 40% of the players may not have recognized that they even had a concussion. (2)

These alarming statistics highlight the ongoing challenges with concussion identification and disclosure in the sport. 

But they are not limited to just community or amateur levels.

In professional rugby, the problem of nondisclosure has been previously reported as well. In a 2022 research study of National Rugby League Women’s players in Australia, 37% of elite athletes admitted to not reporting a suspected concussion, and 27% did not disclose symptoms during a medical assessment. (3)

Why Are Rugby Players Not Reporting Concussions

Even with mandatory concussion education at the professional level, disclosure is still a major issue. The most common reasons were not wanting to be ruled out of play and not being sure their symptoms were concussion related. (3)

In looking back at the community level study, (2) players with a longer playing history or a prior diagnosed concussion were significantly more likely to either not report or not recognize a concussion. Interestingly, there were no differences based on sex or playing position. This suggests that experience is a stronger predictor of concussion behavior. And while players commonly cited “not thinking it was serious” as a reason for not reporting, those with a history of concussion were significantly more likely to avoid disclosure to keep playing.

Concussion Education is Not Enough

We have talked about this before on the HEADCHECK blog here. 

Research is showing that concussion education alone is not enough, especially in environments where medical coverage is limited or nonexistent. 

In the community study, 42% of players said they never had access to a physiotherapist or athletic trainer during games or practices. Without consistent sideline personnel, concussion identification becomes a player’s own responsibility, which many may not feel prepared or motivated to take on.

These findings add to a growing body of evidence that team culture, access to medical care, and consequences of reporting play critical roles in whether athletes speak up. 

What Can Be Done?

This research points toward a need for systemic solutions:

• Implementing standardized sideline protocols in community rugby settings.
• Increasing access to trained medical professionals, especially at the amateur level.
• Creating a culture of safety, where reporting is encouraged.

• Promoting consistent education for all stakeholders (players, coaches, and staff) that implements peer-led initiatives and team discussions, not just static materials like pre-season handouts

Concussions cannot be prevented if they are not recognized. And they cannot be managed if they are not reported. Therefore, the rugby community must make it easier and safer for players to speak up.

HEADCHECK Health can help! 

HEADCHECK Health can help your organization improve their concussion reporting systems. 

Contact us today to learn how we can support your concussion management strategy. 

References

1. Gardner AJ, Iverson GL, Williams WH, Baker S, Stanwell P. A systematic review and meta-analysis of concussion in rugby union. Sports Med. 2014 Dec;44(12):1717-31. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0233-3. PMID: 25138311.
2. Wittmer R, Buckley TA, Swanik CB, Costantini KM, Ryan L, Daly E, King RE, Daniels AJ, Hunzinger KJ. Unrecognized and Unreported Concussions Among Community Rugby Players. Sports (Basel). 2025 Aug 20;13(8):278. doi: 10.3390/sports13080278. PMID: 40863787; PMCID: PMC12390137.
3. McLeod S, West SW, Dane K, Tadmor D, Jones B, Lee J, Iverson GL, Gardner AJ. Disclosure of possible concussions in National Rugby League Women’s Premiership players. J Sci Med Sport. 2025 Sep;28(9):707-711. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.04.002. Epub 2025 Apr 15. PMID: 40316489.

About the Author

Dr. Jennifer Hunnicutt is a licensed athletic trainer with a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science, who has worked with all types of athletes, including professionals and Olympians. She has held prominent research positions at Emory Sports Medicine and the NBA Hawks Center in Atlanta, GA, as well as serving on the national network of healthcare providers for U.S. Figure Skating. Now the owner of Hunnicutt Writing and Consulting, LLC, Dr. Hunnicutt collaborates with global institutions, spearheading innovation and research among professionals and businesses in Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. Learn more at https://drhunnicutt.com.