Lions questioned over Dan Biggar inclusion after concussion concerns

The British and Irish Lionsconfirmed their line-up to face South Africa in the second tour Test on Saturday, but Dan Biggar ’s inclusion has raised concerns regarding player welfare.

Biggar, 31, was forced off in the 66th minute of Saturday’s opening Test due to a head injury, with England ’s Owen Farrell playing out the remainder of the Lions’ 22-17 win Cape Town.

Lions defence coach Steve Tandy said early this week that the Wales fly-half “should be available to train on Thursday” provided he passed the necessary return-to-play protocols.

Despite that uncertainty regarding the player’s condition, Biggar was not only named in Tuesday’s squad announcement but kept his place as Warren Gatland 's starting No. 10.

The official confirmation included a note explaining Biggar would start “subject to completing the return-to-play protocol and assessment by an independent concussion consultant.”

However, his involvement hasn’t sat right with Progressive Rugby, a non-profit rugby lobby group advocating for 'a safer and healthier game', who questioned Biggar’s role in the squad.

The group recently published a statement that read: “As British and Irish Lions fans, Progressive Rugby want world-class players like Dan Biggar on the pitch against South Africa.

"However, the immediate and long-term welfare of any player has to come first irrespective of their value to the team or situation. This was the fifth concussion we are aware of that Biggar has suffered in less than two years.

"Given the increased risk that brings of further concussive episodes, and that he still has to pass the current return to play protocol, we hope the final decision is based on a highly specialised neurological examination from an independent consultant.”

Biggar is revered in Welsh (and British) rugby circles as an elite talent in his position, partly due to the fact he rarely shirks the more physical responsibilities of the game.

That mentality could come to take its toll later in life, however, particularly if a player who has suffered a concussion is rushed back to play and put at risk of another.

Suffering a second concussion before a player has had the chance to properly recover from the first can sometimes lead to Second-Impact Syndrome, a sudden swelling of the brain that can prove fatal.

Biggar had to be removed from play after a clash with South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, and the player has unsurprisingly said he feels well enough to play.

Writing in his Daily Mail column this week, Biggar said: “Unfortunately, I had to go off as when I came out of a ruck Siya Kolisi's knee whacked me on the side of the head — I feel fine and am already buzzing for next week.

“We will have raise our game again as South Africa will come twice as hard at us next Saturday.”

World Rugby launched a panel of Independent Concussion Consultants earlier in July, put in place to determine when a player should return after completing the necessary protocols.

A new half-back partner awaits Biggar in the event he does pass fit to start on Saturday, with Conor Murray having taken Ali Price’s place at scrum-half.

Farrell will be waiting in the wings to step into the starting XV in the event Biggar doesn’t recover as hoped this week, with either Finn Russell or Marcus Smith then likely to move onto the bench.

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