Having read the article about Shontayne Hape and his problems with concussion made me wonder how Dennis Ramsdale is these days? A very brave winger who did have more then his fair share of hits to the head?
Anyone know how he is?

...add Brett Dallas to that too. I cant remember someone in my era (last 15 years) who got battered as many times as he did.

Prescott & HH always seemed to have their heads bandaged too!

Ramsdale is fine, no health problems at all as far as I'm aware. Had a stint as Blackpool's (the rugby club) chairman i think and is now working for an indoor version of a go ape style company in Manchester (it was on secret millionaire UK, he had a little interview but it got cut from the show).
(also, does anyone know how to change a username on here?)

Goulding was knocked out pretty much every other game last season! Have to worry about players health sometimes, all this awareness has come a bit too late in my opinion.

Cameron Phelps used to get knocked out a lot too. Just shows what they put themselves through

awareness has always been there - its just there is no compulsion for clubs to take off players who have been involved in a blow to the head. Two wigan players happily playing on with bandaged heads last week.

Both codes don't take concussion on the park seriously enough. If anyone heard the interview with Jeff Astle's daughter this morning (the results of the re-examination of his brain damage now attributed to "simply" heading the ball resulting in multiple concussive damage) where she describes him drowning in his own vomit because his brain couldn't control his body any more, then you've got to ask why the rules on being K/Od are being watered down so much.

this is now becoming a big issue in the NFL and they are taking it very seriously indeed

Only because the lawyers have got involved

and a good job they did too

true - my point was that neither the clubs nor the governing bodies pay enough attention to the issue until it becomes something they really care about: the contents of their wallets.

It'd only be a small measure, and it wouldn't be a perfect solution, but perhaps head guards should be compulsory - particularly in junior rugby. I've never played without one and yet I've been knocked out my fair share of times, however I'd like to think it reduced the damage done by at least a little bit.

Additionally I think by not allowing players who've taken a knock to the head to re-enter the game you may unintentionally encourage players to play on through a head injury and not report it for fear of being forced off. A strict test on whether the player is fit to continue is the best we can hope for but even then that system has massive flaws.

I didnt think head guards did anything for concussion though? I maybe be wrong though. I also heard that they may actually make things worse as they lull players into a false sense of security, again maybe wrong though.

You could well be right there; I've never really looked into it too much but I suppose no flexible material could fully protect against some of the hits that go in at the top level (plus I always find they block out a lot of noise, making communication harder). Still, even if it's only a minor improvement in safety, it's still a step in the right direction.