Head On: Rugby, Dementia & Me
BBC2, Wednesday, 9pm
This documentary could well unsettle any parent whose child plays a contact sport, butitalsoaskssomedifficult questions about responsibility and safeguarding the health of elite athletes.
Filmed over the course of a year, it follows former World Cup-winning England rugby star Steve Thompson as he attempts to better understand his progressive and expansive memory loss.
In 2020, the ex-hooker was diagnosed with a degenerative brain condition that was linked to repetitive trauma to the head. Here, the dad of four speaks to former players about their experiences, and questions whether the procedures in place today really can prevent damaging head injuries during contact in training and matches.