Print and digital media
Published 13/02/25
Tom Sansom writes for Ruck about Finn Russell’s concussion and reviews Ahead of the Game.
The Scotland senior men’s coaches and medical staff have received significant praise from the world of neuroscience, for not allowing Finn Russell to return to the pitch in last Sunday’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations match against Ireland. Russell endured a severe clash of heads with his Scotland teammate Darcy Graham, and was removed from the pitch for a Head Injury Assessment.
Professor Willie Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist at the University of Glasgow, and a leading voice in the concussion crisis within rugby, was delighted to see the decision made in favour of Russell’s safety. Despite being a proud Scotland fan, Stewart was glad to see Russell remain on the sidelines, following the 21st minute clash of heads with the Edinburgh wing, that required Darcy Graham to be removed by a stretcher.
Published 20/11/24
Improved performance and healthier, happier players. Now who wouldn’t want that for our sport?
Sam writes for Rugby World Magazine about the forward thinking schools and grassroots organisations that have not only identified that there is a problem, but are actively seeking out solutions. One such solution is The Third Game, pioneered by St Paul’s School, an RFU founding member and one of several independent schools actively exploring ways to depower rugby.
Another leading the way is Clayesmore School whose coaching staff recently attended legendary French coach Pierre Villepreux’s coaching clinic Le Plaisir du Mouvement (LPM) in Lubersac with a brief to embrace his methods based on skills, go-forward and game play, and to bring these ideas back to the school. Read the full article here.
Published 29/09/24
I had the privilege of attending the Marlborough LitFest talk by Sam Peters, author of ‘Concussed: Sport’s Uncomfortable Truth’, given in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon. As the Chairman of the Marlborough Rugby Club, I felt some nervous anticipation ahead of the event, given that the focus of the talk (and the book) would be about the game I love.
Howard Wilkinson reviews Concussed at the Marlborough literary festival.
To read the full article click here.
Published 7/01/24
Paul Kimmage meets Sam and talks all things Concussed in The Irish Independent.
“If I’d known how deep the concussion problem ran and the lengths the sport’s governing bodies would go to suppress the story, would I have immersed myself to the extent I did? Would I have been prepared to sacrifice a successful career involving subsidised global travel, prime seats at the biggest games, free food and booze and access to some of the highest-profile sports stars on earth? I’ll answer that when this book is published and I’m sitting by a river or lake somewhere without internet connection or a rugby field within a 100-mile radius.”
Click here to read the article.
Published 02/09/24
Rugby on trial - BBC iPlayer
In this programme, Joe Crowley investigates whether enough has been done to protect players from the devastating impacts of concussions and repeated knocks to the head and whether parents can be sure their children will be safe playing rugby at school.
As a group legal case gathers momentum, the rugby authorities tell us they will defend the allegations vigorously and explain how they have taken steps to improve player welfare in the modern era, using the best available science.
To view this programme on iPlayer, click here.
Published 01/09/24
Sam Peters writes for Rugby World about legendary Toulouse coach Pierre Villepreiux, who masterminded 2 grand slams for France as well as that epic semi-final win against the All Blacks in 1999.
“At the very beginning of my time coaching Toulouse, in 1980, we decided with the president to organise a big project for the club, and evidently it was not easy because the club was not one of the best clubs in France. Villepreux says. “We said to the president, ‘Will you allow us to create a new method of teaching rugby for all levels which can excite the public, sponsors and the media?’’
Click here to read the article.
Published 09/10/23
Tom Samson reviews the Concussed Launch Party, which took place at the Stalls in Wiltshire on 28/09/23.
Nestled in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, journalist and concussion campaigner Sam Peters greeted the audience, as he prepared to launch a revolutionary book. Flanked by two icons of the game, Peters was set to introduce the global rugby landscape to ‘Concussed: Sport’s Uncomfortable Truth’.
Click here to read the article.
Published 28/11/23
Julia Andersen of Sports Gazette reviews Concussed.
These are real examples that Sam Peters makes you feel intimately. Readers may feel physically sick while reading certain stories, but Peters shows how necessary they are to shine a light on.
Never does Concussed feel self-congratulatory. Peters is not here to toot his own horn about his impact creating concussion protocol changes in professional rugby. He’s instead, once again, using his platform to ensure rugby and other sports move in the right direction, continue educating parents and players, and better protect athletes from the potential consequences of brain injuries.
Click here to read the article.
Published 28/11/23
Sam writes about The Third Game in The Guardian
‘There is another way’: how schools are tackling rugby’s head injury crisis. Concern is mounting over dwindling playing numbers caused by safety fears as schools explore ways to depower rugby. In this article Sam talks to coaches from St Paul's and Clayesmore School about the trial of an exciting new format - The Third Game. Intended to sit in between touch rugby and full contact, this new format greatly reduces injury and encourages skills. Is this the future of rugby?
Click here to read the article.
Published 25/09/23
Inside every issue of Pitch magazine you will find stories, long and short, relating to the thick end of 30 different sports. It’s a genuinely groundbreaking remit and we think a first in the world of magazines. There’s football, cricket, rugby – both types – golf, MMA, boxing, athletics and F1. And loads of others. We think the mix works brilliantly. Because ultimately we are sports fanatics. First.
In the 5th issue, Jade Craddock talks to Sam about Concussed.
Click here to read the full article.
Published 15/09/23
Owen Slot in The Times exposing the shocking truth about Paul McCrory the “rogue doctor” who denied that concussion was an issue for 20 years.
“Paul McCrory has played puppet master with our lives.”
Click here to read the full article.
Published 05/10/23
Gavin Francis reviews Concussed in The London Review of Books:
Peters quotes the former New Zealand All Black Carl Hayman, talking about his early-onset dementia: ‘I was a commodity, and I understood that ... It’s like that scene in Saving Private Ryan, when the guy tells the bloke with shell shock: “When you accept you’re dead, you can function as a soldier.”’
Shontayne Hape, a New Zealander who played for England but was obliged to retire in 2013 because of repeated head injuries, has described being under ‘constant pressure from the coaches. Most coaches don’t care what happens later on in your life. It’s about the here and now. Everyone wants success. They just think, “If we pay you this you are going to do this.”
Click here to read the full article.