A BRAIN injury charity has defended children's right to play full-contact rugby, following national calls for schools to ban tackling in the sport. 

Medical experts have released an open letter to MPs, urging schools to make rugby more of a non-contact sport.

But Headway Oxfordshire opposed the idea, stressing that humans would be "lesser beings" without risk-taking. 

The letter, signed by 70 doctors and medical academics, read: "The majority of all injuries occur during contact or collision, such as the tackle and the scrum. 

"These injuries which include fractures, ligamentous tears, dislocated shoulders, spinal injuries and head injuries can have short-term, life-long, and life-ending consequences for children."

It said the risks of injuries to under 18s "are high and injuries are often serious".

In a statement released today, Headway Oxfordshire's CEO disagreed.

Jamie Miller said: "We believe that in this case the answer is not to preclude or ban the entire activity or an aspect of the activity because it involves an element of risk.

"As a charity that works with head injury survivors, we are all well aware that everyday life is full of risk, and we are well placed to see the consequences and impact of serious head injuries.

"To make the most of all our lives we need to and will take risks, controlled risk taking is essential in our development in gaining knowledge and new experiences, in part risk taking has defined us as a species and we would be lesser beings without it.

"We would always advise people who are undertaking an activity that involves risk, to be aware of the risk and use the proper equipment to minimise the potential for injury, if you are cycling wear a helmet, climbing a mountain, use the proper equipment."

Luke Griggs, director of communications at the national charity, suggested the government should provide concussion awareness training for teachers.

He credited the sport for "committing to improving concussion awareness and protocols", and said it was "clear the momentum needs to be maintained with awareness and education campaigns at grassroots level."

He added: “It is vital to ensure players are taught the correct tackling techniques in rugby. If they are prevented from tackling until they are 18, they will be ill-prepared for adult rugby and would be more likely to sustain serious injury as a result.

“Sports teachers must adopt an ‘if in doubt, sit it out!’ approach and receive mandatory concussion training.

“Classroom teachers need to be trained to recognise the symptoms of concussion, such as slurred speech, dizziness or nausea, the presentation of which can be delayed for several hours after impact.

“Sport plays an important role in keeping us fit and healthy, with team sports in particular providing a host of additional benefits, including social interaction and instilling discipline and teamwork in young people. It is important that all measures to protect the welfare of children playing sport are introduced without discouraging participation.”