Brain injury charity Headway has warned rugby players about the dangers of staying on the pitch after taking a blow to the head.
Headway said it was responding after Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar said he felt "a little bit dazed" for the closing stages of his team's PRO12 match against Leinster on Saturday, when he missed a crucial late penalty kick.
Ospreys have said Biggar, who suffered a bang to his head just before the hour mark, passed the head injury assessment required before he was allowed to return to the pitch, satisfying medical staff.
Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: "It is extremely concerning to hear a player admit to feeling dazed following a head injury and yet not inform his medical team.
"Identifying concussion is not an easy task, particularly in the pressured environment of live professional sport. It can be an evolving condition with the symptoms not always immediately obvious.
"Players must take some responsibility by being honest with medical staff and admitting to feeling dizzy, nauseous, or dazed, for example.
"Professional rugby players are better supported than ever before when it comes to understanding concussion, which is otherwise known as a minor traumatic brain injury. The question has to be asked, however, is whether or not the message is getting through.
"Continuing to play while feeling dazed sets a poor example for grassroots players to follow and indicates more needs to be done to educate players on the dangers of playing on following a concussion.
"In the meantime, it is vital that rugby stays true to the principle of 'If in doubt, sit it out!'."
Ospreys said following Biggar's weekend remarks that he would continue to be monitored " in case of any delayed reaction" and would need to " satisfy stringent criteria" before being allowed to take to the field again.
Source: PA
