Concussion 'number one' priority for Welsh rugby

Concussion is the 'number one' thing for Welsh rugby to address, according to the Welsh Rugby Union's medical chief.

Rugby union has witnessed a number of high-profile concussion cases recently, highlighted this season by Wales and Northampton wing George North, who's currently on a rest period after suffering his third concussion of the campaign.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny, Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton and England internationals Mike Brown and Geoff Parling have also experienced concussive episodes this term.

But calls for mandatory headguards have been dismissed by the national medical manager for the Welsh Rugby Union, Prav Mathema.

Mathema accepted there had been a 'gap in our management plan', regarding George North during the England game at the Millennium Stadium.

North took two knocks to his head, suffering a momentary loss of consciousness, but the second incident was not seen by medical staff.

It prompted an immediate investigation by the sport's governing body World Rugby, which later accepted the WRU's explanation that had the incident been witnessed, North would have been taken off immediately.