IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT

Understanding Concussion

Rugby is a contact sport. Regrettably there will be instances where a player has taken a knock. This quick guide to concussion is designed to raise awareness and is no substitute for medical advice. Full information is available at World Rugby Concussion Guidance. www.world.rugby/news/612885

Concussion guidance can be different between age groups. The quick guide below focusses on advice for Under 12’s.

• A concussion is a traumatic brain injury

• All concussions are serious

• Concussions can occur without loss of consciousness

• All athletes with any new symptoms following a head injury;

• Must be removed from playing or training.

• Must not return to playing or training until symptom free or until all concussion-related symptoms have cleared or have returned to a pre-concussion level.

• Must complete a graduated Return to Play programme.

• Should be assessed by a medical practitioner.

• Specifically, return to play or training on the day of concussion or suspected concussion is forbidden.

• Recognise and Remove to help prevent further injury or even death.

• Head injuries can be fatal – do not return to play if symptoms persist.

Most players with concussion recover with physical and mental rest.

Symptoms of concussion or suspected concussion - what you are told: Presence of any one or more of the following signs and symptoms may suggest a concussion:

• Headache.

• Dizziness.

• Mental clouding, confusion, or feeling slowed down.

• Visual problems.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Fatigue.

• Drowsiness. Feeling like “in a fog“ difficulty concentrating.

• “Pressure in head”

• Sensitivity to light or noise.

What questions you ask children (12 years and under)

Failure to answer any of these questions correctly is a strong indication of concussion or at least suspected concussion.

• “Where are we now?”

• “Is it before or after lunch?”

• “What was your last lesson or class?”

• “Who scored last in this game?”

• “What is your teacher’s name?”

• “What is your coach’s name?”

IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT

For more information visit the World Rugby website for concussion guidance.

www.world.rugby/news/612885

The tenth Rugby World Cup runs from 8th September to 28th October 2023

This is the second time that France has been the RWC host having held a succesful and memorable event in 2007. There will be 48 matches at 9 venues with 10 host cities. There are 20 teams divided into 4 pools of 5 teams followed by quarter finals, semi finals, a bronze medal playoff, then the finals. Twelve teams qualified directly by finishing in the top three of their pool in Japan 2019. The remaining 8 qualified through a global qualification process after 48 matches played across 51 days.

The qualified teams as of March 2022

The remaining eight spaces will be decided by regional competitions followed by a few cross- regional play-offs. The final spot will be decided by a repêchage tournament in November 2022.

Qualification

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Hosts

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

Top 3 - 2019 RWC pool

PREVIOUS BEST

Quarter-finals (2019)

Champions (2003)

Runners-up (1987, 1999, 2011)

Quarter-finals (7 times)

Pool stage (9 times)

Fourth place (1991)

Third place (1987)

Champions (1991, 1999)

Champions (1987, 2011, 2015)

Third place (2007)

Quarter-finals (1987, 2007)

Quarter-finals (1991, 1995)

Champions (1995, 2007, 2019)

The 2023 Rugby Word Cup Venues

CITY: Saint-Denis (Paris)

Just north of Paris this youthful energetic district was once the hub of the industrial revolution, it has now become a lively and modern metropolis.

VENUE: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

This stadium is famous for its incredible atmosphere. ‘Le Chauldron’ as it’s known will no doubt resonate with excitement and passion as it did when hosting the World cup in 2007 and UEFA Euro 2016. Capacity: 41,965.

VENUE: Stade de France

The largest and most impressive sporting venue in France, Stade de France, the national stadium, will be the venue for the opening game and the final too. Capacity: 80,698.

HOSTING: 9/9/23 Saturday, 17/9/23 Sunday, 22/9/23 Friday, 1/10/23 Sunday.

CITY: Bordeaux

Regarded as the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux is an exciting place, it’s been designated a World heritage site in recognition of its cultural riches and legacy, losing none of its splendour over the centuries. While Bordeaux may be known as ‘Belle Endormie’ (Sleeping Beauty) when major sporting events take place no one sleeps.

HOSTING: 8/9/23 Friday, 9/9/23 Sunday, 23/9/23 Saturday, 7/10/23 Saturday, 14/10/23 Saturday, 15/10/23 Sunday, 20/10/23 Friday, 21/10/23 Saturday, 27/10/23 Friday, 28/10/23 Saturday.

CITY: Saint-Etienne

A rich industrial past, Saint-Etienne was considered the industrial capital of Europe in the 19th century. A place where the railroad and the waterwheel originated, it’s a place of invention and innovation, where creativity and audacity are prized.

VENUE: Stade de Bordeaux, brand-new and ultra modern, it’s the largest sports arena in the south-west of France. Capacity: 42,115.

HOSTING: 9/9/23 Saturday, 10/9/23 Sunday, 16/9/23 Saturday, 17/9/23 Sunday, 30/9/23 Sunday.

CITY: Lille

A city charaterised by it’s cultural vitality, quality of life and festive energy. With its closeness to Belgium Lille also claims to be the most European of cities.

VENUE: OL Stadium

The third largest sporting venue in France, OL Stadium is ready and waiting to dazzle with another major event. Capacity: 59,186.

VENUE: Stade Pierre-Mauroy

An ultra-modern venue with a retractable roof along with the ‘Boite a Spectacles’ a feature allowing half the pitch to slide under the other half to turn the stadium into an arena for concerts and other sports. Capacity: 50,157.

HOSTING: 24/9/23 Sunday, 27/9/23 Wednesday, 29/9/23 Friday, 5/10/23 Thursday, 6/10/23 Friday.

CITY: Marseille

Since ancient times this cosmopolitan city has been an important cultural and commercial crossroads with its prime position on the Mediterranean Sea. As France’s main port it’s known as the ‘Gateway to the Orient’.

HOSTING: 14/9/23 Thursday, 23/9/23 Saturday, 30/9/23 Sunday, 7/10/23 Saturday, 8/10/23 Sunday.

CITY: Lyon

Located where the Rhone and the Saone rivers meet Lyon was the capital of Roman Gaul. Lyon has a rich food and wine tradition and boasts many cultural pioneers including the Lumiere brothers, the godfathers of cinema.

VENUE: Stade Velodrome

A Stadium that’s no stranger to great events following the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the Rugby World Cup 2007 and the UAFA Euro 2016. The Rugby World Cup 2023 should be the scene of some great rugby. Capacity 67,394.

HOSTING: 9/9/23 Saturday, 10/9/23 Sunday, 21/9/23 Thursday, 14/10/23 Saturday, 15/10/23 Sunday..

CITY: Nantes

A vibrant city in the west, well known for its quality of life, it’s full of impressive monuments and culture. The residents all live within 300 metres of one of its 100 parks and gardens.

HOSTING: 16/9/23 Saturday, 17/9/23 Sunday, 20/9/23 Wednesday, 24/9/23 Sunday.

CITY: Toulouse

VENUE: Stade de la Beaujoire

The scene of many unforgettable rock concerts and the famous Fiji versus Wales stunner from the Rugby World cup in 2007, we’re expecting some more exciting outcomes during the Rugby World Cup 2023. Capacity: 35,322.

The European capital of aeronautics and space is situated on the banks of the Garonne. There’s a festive spirit here in the Pink City, so called because of the colour of the bricks used in all of its most notable buildings, including the Musee des Augustines, the Basilique SaintSernin and the magnificent Jacobin convent.

HOSTING: 16/9/23 Saturday, 30/9/23 Saturday, 30/9/23 Sunday, 7/10/23 Saturday, 8/10/23 Sunday,

CITY: Nice

The capital of the Cote d’aAzur, located in the French Riviera, between the Mediterranean and the foothills of the Alps.

VENUE: Stadium de Toulouse

Nicknamed little Wembley this stadium will once again witness the passion for rugby that is so strong in Toulouse. Capacity: 33,150.

VENUE: Stade de Nice

Nice’s new stadium is one of the most environmentally responsible in Europe. Capacity: 35,624.

HOSTING: 10/9/23 Sunday, 15/9/23 Friday, 23/9/23 Saturday, 28/10/23 Thursday, 8/10/23 Sunday.