What are rugby union's rules on concussion injuries?
- Published
Due to World Rugby's return to play protocols following concussion injuries, most players are not permitted to return to playing for at least 12 days.
The guidelines, which were first implemented in July 2022, state that players who show signs of concussion are likely to miss their team's next match.
All cases are dealt with on an individual basis.
Players showing concussion symptoms have to spend a minimum of 12 days on the sidelines, but the lengths of absence can also be longer.
In cases where a player has shown concussion symptoms on the field but has no previous history and was not permanently removed from the match, they can be deemed to return to play as early as seven days later after completing a test and being given approval by an independent consultant.
Factors such as symptoms shown, a players' history of concussions and their speed of recovery from any previous concussions are all taken into account as part of a player's graduated return to play.
England full-back Ellie Kildunne will miss a minimum of 12 days due to showing visible concussion symptoms - a key factor for the 12-day absence - ruling her out of their World Cup quarter-final.
She will need to pass all return to play provisions without further setbacks in order to play in England's World Cup semi-final, should the Red Roses get there.
World Rugby's Return to Play programme in elite rugby is different to that advice to that at community level.
Guidance from the government's Digital, Culture, Media & Sport department is recommended by the sport's governing bodies, in which players are not recommended to return to competitive sport for at least 21 days, if they are symptom free for 14 days after the injury.
Like in the professional game, community based players are recommended to be treated on a case-by-case basis and on their symptoms before returning to play.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
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