• The 14th World Rugby Medical Commission Conference to take place 31 October to 1 November in Amsterdam
  • Day two open to public to attend or follow online. Registration open now via World.Rugby  
  • Key topics include neurodegenerative disease, the use of smart mouthguards and the laws of the game

World Rugby has announced the agenda for its annual Medical Commission Conference which will take place on 31 October and 1 November in Amsterdam.  Registration is now open to the media and general public for anyone who wishes to attend or follow online the open session which takes place on Tuesday, 1 November.

Chief Medical Officers and representatives from unions will join leading figures from across the world of sport science to discuss the latest scientific research and leading player welfare issues within the sport.

Key topics on the agenda include:

  • CTE and neurodegenerative diseases – including an update from the Kumana Tangata Aftermatch study based in New Zealand, monitoring the ongoing health of former professional rugby players
  • Smart mouthguards – how they can be used to improve player welfare in both an elite and community setting
  • A laws workshop including focus on player welfare, TMO and how they can help with welfare inter

The Medical Commission Conference will be broadcast online by World Rugby and is open to the public to attend and anyone can register via the World Rugby website.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Éanna Falvey has encouraged anyone with an interest in rugby scientific research to sign up and play their part. Dr Favley said: “Every year we hold our Medical Commissioning Conference to evaluate the latest research and focus on where we might need to focus funding to continue to fill the gaps in our collective knowledge.

“We are committed to this process being as open as possible which is why we are broadcasting the event online for anyone around the world to follow. I would encourage anyone who is interested to sign up.”

Translation will be available in French, Spanish Japanese and Italian.

The Rugby Science Network will also hold their Conference on Wednesday, 2 November. Further details and registration for that event can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rugby-science-network-rsn-live-2022-online-attendance-tickets-430340268327