蜜芽传媒

A leading expert on head injuries in rugby union says George North is at a significantly increased risk of neurological problems including anxiety and depression.

North was allowed to return to the field of play for club Northampton Saints despite losing consciousness in a match against Leicester this month.

Dr. Barry O'Driscoll said: "The protocols are totally unfit for purpose. Time and time again they're putting brain damaged players back on the field".

The former world rugby medical adviser cited research conducted by the NFL which found that ex-American Football players were twenty times more likely to suffer from early dementia if they had a history of concussions.

O'Driscoll added he would "go to the end of the earth" to try and stop North from playing again if he were an amateur player.

This clip is from 5 live Sport on Wednesday 21 December 2016.