Correct, they are tested Pre-season then again after a head injury, they have to score the same or within a certain amount in the after injury test before they play.

If a player loses consciousness, however brief, referees are advised to not allow the player to continue/return to playing in that game.

The RFL seem to be on top of head injuries.

I do remember when Jonny Lomax suffered a bad head injury at U15's level and all amateur leagues were told to recommend headguards and got posters to advertise them.

I wear a headguard for the simple fact I always tackle low, and have therefore kopped more than my fair share of knees, hips, etc to the head and spend a few minutes wondering which team I'm playing for.

Though as the RFL study says, it does give you a slightly false sense of security and I probably throw myself into things a bit more than I should.

i used to wear one when i played in the front row at hooker. I played in a front row that loved to 'join' a scrum with a bit of bite... got a bad clash of heads one day then put a skullcap on...

i found myself throwing my head into tackles more than i would have done had i not been wearing one.

So they're probably not that good for your health in that respect.

I used to wear one as a kid playing union, but as I got older I found it was just getting in the way and was annoying me so stopped. Although it's unbelievably stupid I don't even wear a gum shield, but I find I play better without the protection.