Rugby authorities should do more to alert players and staff to signs of concussion, an inquest in Belfast into the death of a schoolboy on the pitch heard.
Benjamin Robinson (14), died of head injuries in Carrickfergus in January last year.
The efforts of the IRFU and Ulster schools rugby body to spread awareness of concussion were under scrutiny during his inquest.
There was a lack of education about the danger to players and the number of people who attended a training seminar on the condition recently could be counted on two hands, coach Neal Kennedy told the Belfast hearing.
“There is a lack of education, not just in the grade players but adult players, about the whole issue surrounding concussion,” he said.
A player with concussion should be taken off to prevent further harm.
“Where there is a potential for a concussive injury . . . something needs to be done to address that,” he added.
A neurological expert said he believes Benjamin was concussed before he died.
Mr Kennedy said since Benjamin’s death in January 2011 on the Carrickfergus Grammar school pitch, updated guidance had been issued, but there was no training on how tests of lucidity or balance could be applied in specific scenarios.