The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Head On: Rugby, Dementia & Me

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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.

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