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Ex-Wales captain undergoes brain health assessment as WRU launch new initiative to combat major issue
The Welsh Rugby Union have introduced a new service that will provide free brain health assessments for former players.
The service will be delivered in partnership with World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Players' Association (WRPA).
It will be available to former Wales men's and women's internationals, as well as players who have either played professionally in Wales after August 1995 or at an elite level before the advent of professionalism.
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The new service has been introduced against the backdrop of an ongoing lawsuit against the WRU, Rugby Football Union and World Rugby over neurological issues - with around 390 rugby union players now signed up.
Part of the reason behind the introduction of this initiative is to put players' minds at rest amid growing concerns over brain injuries.
Former Wales captain Ken Owens was the first male player to undergo the assessment, with the hope being that several more sign up. There are also plans in place to make this assessment available to current players by the end of the 2025/26 season.
Wales is now the third country to launch the initiative, after both Ireland and Australia introduced it earlier this year. However, while both of those countries launched in conjunction with the respective rugby player associations, this is the first to work with the governing body as well.
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"We are delighted to collaborate with World Rugby and the WRPA in launching this service in Wales," said WRU medical services manager Prav Mathema. "Player welfare is crucial and it is important to us to be able to provide a wide-reaching, accessible service with expert guidance so that players have access to the resources they need for a healthy and fulfilling life beyond rugby.
"We feel this service demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting those who have played the game at an elite level in Wales and their continued wellbeing, beyond their playing days."
The service will include an awareness and education component, as well as an online questionnaire and tele-health delivered cognitive assessment with a trained brain health practitioner.
The service assesses players for any brain health warning signs, provides advice on managing risk factors and will signpost anyone in need of specialist care.
Participants are required to fill out an initial questionnaire before proceeding to an online consultation with a trained brain health practitioner. The WRU is funding ongoing costs and the staff required to support the administration of the service.
Players who do not display any warning signs are supported with the most up-to-date advice on keeping their brain health in-check and will also be advised of the WRPA's intention to introduce a membership category for former players, which will include mental wellbeing support, personal development initiatives, career guidance and community engagement opportunities.
Any player displaying warning signs of poor brain health will be referred to a specialist for further, in-person tests via their family doctor.
The service will initially be made available to any retired player, male or female, who has played international 15s or 7s rugby for Wales, as well as any player who has played senior professional rugby for a team in Wales or at an elite level for a team in Wales prior to 1995.
"We're delighted to be launching the Brain Health Service in Wales today building on the services available in Ireland and Australia," said World Rugby Chief Medical Officer Prof Eanna Falvey. "We know former players read reports about their former peers and teammates who are struggling.
"The Brain Health Services gives any worried player a place to go which can put their minds at ease, or if required, put them in touch with medical experts who can further investigate any warning signs.
"Player welfare is World Rugby's number one priority and that applies equally to current and former players. In providing this Brain Health Service World Rugby, the WRU and WRPA are once again demonstrating that our sport leads the world in looking after our players at all levels of the game and that we will never stand still when it comes to ensuring rugby is a game that can be enjoyed by everyone at every level of the sport."
This initiative comes shortly after the WRPA announced a partnership with Healix Health and Nuffield Health to provide medical care and physiotherapy for players after retirement.
Eligibility criteria has been set with advice from world leading independent brain health experts.
Any interested eligible former players can register by emailing bhswales@wrpa.co.uk.
