It is the responsibility of all involved in rugby; clubs, coaches, players and healthcare professionals to contribute to injury prevention through the application of best practice.

Advice from medical professionals should be taken before playing, especially before returning to training and matches following an injury.

From the start of the 2007/2008 season, clubs and schools need only report the Reportable Injury Events defined below. Detailed injury surveillance data will be collected independently from a representative sample of nominated clubs and schools.

Injury report form (Word Document)

Reportable Injury Events

These are defined as:

• An injury which results in the player being admitted to a hospital (this does not include those that attend an Accident or Emergency Department and are allowed home form there).
• Deaths which occur during or within 6 hours of a game finishing.

Reportable Injury Event Protocol

In the event of a serious injury occurring which fulfils the above definition, then the following protocol is to be followed:

1. Provide immediate first aid and arrange transport by ambulance to the hospital.
2. A club or school representative must phone the Sports Injuries Administrator Helpline 020 8831 7451, as soon as the seriousness of the player's condition is confirmed and certainly within 48 hours of the game or training session.
3. Please have a pen and paper, and details of the incident ready to provide. Out of working hours there will be a recorded message that provides contact details of the Injured Player Welfare Officer (IPWO). You will be asked to email or fax a Reportable Injury Event report form, which can be downloaded or printed off from here.
4. The IPWO will then establish contact with the club and player or their family in order to confirm the injury, initiate the RFU Pastoral Support Programme, and collect additional information about the injury.
5. The club/school must notify their insurers. The RFU insurers are Marsh Sports Group (Claims), Tel: 0131 311 4145, Fax: 0131 343 6667, email: Fiona.M.Park@marsh.com
6. Record witness statements. Where a potential insurance or personal injury claim may arise, clubs and schools are advised to retain on file witness statements. These statements must confine themselves to the facts and not include opinion or hearsay, or apportion or infer blame. They must be signed and dated by the person making them.

If you have any queries, you can also contact either the Sports Injuries Administrator or the Injured Player Welfare Officer as follows:

Sports Injuries Administrator (SIA):

Community Rugby, Rugby House, Rugby Road, Twickenham, TW1 1DS

Tel: 020 8831 7451

Fax: 020 8831 4446

email: sportsinjuriesadmin@therfu.com

RFU Injured Player Welfare Officer (IPWO):

David Phillips

16 Holborn Ave, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 1TT

Tel: 01942 670122

email: welfareofficer@therfu.com