Jimmy George – “I feel safe playing rugby, I haven’t always felt that way”

George added that he would be happy to allow his two-year-old daughter to play the sport if she chose.

As a group of former players take legal action against rugby authorities claiming more should have been done to protect their brain health in the past, there are a series of measures in place to protect players from concussion.

These include “smart” gum shields that measure the force endured by players’ heads during a tackle, pitchside medics, and mandatory assessments and stoppages for players diagnosed with concussion.

“We are in very good hands,” George added.

“Of course, there is a risk that you could sustain a concussion while playing a full-contact sport. We understand the risks that come with that, but at the same time, we have complete confidence in the people around us, the protocols in place, and that we are being taken care of as well as possible.”

Ben Earl, George Saracens’ and England team-mate, is equally confident of the sponsorship he receives for both club and country.

“I never felt like I was poorly managed,” he said.

“If anything, it’s probably too far in the other direction. Maybe they hold you back sometimes when you feel like you’re ready to go, but they’re really just taking care of you and your body.”

“So, in terms of my personal experience with the game and safety, I felt incredibly well taken care of,” he added.