I must say that the concussion, head knocks are always on my mind, no pun intended

when you think of the average career of a RL player, not including the amateur years, possibly 10 to 15 years, the amount of collisions they must endure especially the forwards, frightening really.

It is and although they/you know the risks I can imagine it's a worry. Truth is it's an unfortunate part of the game but to remove the risk would fundamentally end the game. Like everyone else, I don't have an answer.

The game has improved this area though.
Head assessments are a massive step forward from a player stumbling around and sending the physio off because he doesn't want to come off, Ronnie Gibbs style.
Also outlawing direct hits to the head and the shoulder charge are improvements that were needed because of the concussion issues that go with them.

We all like to see a big hit but it still needs to be safe.

I'm being pedantic here but it needs to be as safe as possible, I think we have to accept two 18 stone men running into each other at full pelt can never be truly safe.

100% with this, but as a dad it’s great to see Jordan put a shot on but head in hands time when he takes one. There’s also another thing and that is fractures around the head, ie cheek, jaw, eye sockets etc are hard to detect at the time and most players continue to play on after their HIA.

When my lad played under age RL I never even noticed the collisions, at that age, it wasn't much more than playground stuff. As he got older and used to play the occasional season in open age I became more and more uncomfortable. His mother simply refused to watch him in those games, it was too much for her. He doesn't play anymore and I have to say I don't miss it. Of course, had it been his living and as such he would have had some rewards for the risk he took, it would have been different but as you say no less nerve-racking.

Funny thing is he only ever picked up one modestly serious injury playing RL, I've lost count how many injuries he's had playing 5-a-side football and that includes a concussion or two.

It's a fine line.

A lot on here will remember the Leeds half-back of 50 years ago, Mick Shoebottom, whom I worked with at Bison Concrete many years ago. a regular international, Shoey sustained a bad head injury in a controversial tackle with Colin Dixon , the big Salford forward. It put him out of the game and left him mentally scarred for life and an early death.

I agree. There are always going to be accidents and you can't wrap them in cotton wool but making head shots illegal as an example is just a sensible precaution that doesn't affect the game.

A few broken finger nails, Chinese burns and few torn short pockets no doubt Vasty as well

My lad had been suffering poor form and had been for few games been waiting his chance to redeem it, standing on the touch line we had talked about putting effort into his runs and being well over 6 ft and big framed he knew he had what it takes to break through the line, his chance came mid way into the first half and with his first he steamed but caught their best player full in the run who bravely tried to tackle him and he hit the ground calling backwards hanging his head on the ground, he was concussed and had to go to hospital cancelling the game all together as we had to wait for medical treatment, at that point I thought size not age should make a factor when young kids are playing, I'm glad he doesn't play anymore

I think between us we’ve pinpointed Rugby, especially RL great weakness.

The older and bigger it’s participants the more dangerous it becomes and the more people drop out.

You’ve got to be dedicated and a bit mad to play at amateur level. Playing pro makes total sense and because of this so does playing junior rugby. After that it makes less and less and thus participation levels lower and lower.

What I’m trying to say is that RL more than most is one for the pro’s. They deserve every penny they get and then some. It is more than a game imo due to the risks involved.

I’d love to see my lad playing for Trinity because some modest rewards are there, just. Running around for Eastmoor for free, that’s harder to take. When you boil it down to its basics, RL is a brutal sport only really suited to the truly committed or the slightly bonkers.

God bless em.

I remember him redscat played against him I played stand off too great tough player Bisons and Burton's were top Leeds teams then I'm going back to early 60s