article_snippet.sent: Children should not be encouraged to play rugby at school because it is so dangerous, researchers have warned.
article_snippet.sent: The Government wants rugby to be played more at school as part of plans to increase competitive sports, to curb rising levels of obesity.
article_snippet.sent: Professor Allyson Pollock wants to see rugby made safer for children, with an end to scrums and tackles — where nearly all the injuries occur .
article_snippet.sent: Currently, rugby is mainly played at independent schools rather than state schools where the dominant sport for boys is football.
article_snippet.sent: But in 2012 the Government pledged to increase both girls’ and boys’ participation in rugby at school as part of a drive to boost competitive sports.
article_snippet.sent: I’m not calling for a ban on rugby at school.
article_snippet.sent: so parents know the risks, and I want to see rugby made safer for children, with an end to scrums and tackles — where nearly all the injuries occur.
article_snippet.sent: ‘I’d like school rugby to become touch rugby, The Rugby Football Union.
article_snippet.sent: The Rugby Football Union –
article_snippet.sent: the professional body – has clear rules for school children and school children are not allowed to tackle or form scrums until the age of ten.
article_snippet.sent: And a maximum of between three and five players from each team can take part in scrums – where they interlock over the ball – depending on they age.
article_snippet.sent: Currently, rugby is mainly played at independent schools rather than state schools where the dominant sport for boys is football .
article_snippet.sent: Children under 10 play touch rugby where Children under 10 play touch have to pass the ball to the other side as soon as an opponent makes contact with any part of Children under 10 play touch body.
article_snippet.sent: A spokesman for the RFU said: ‘the RFU take player safety extremely seriously and this is at the core of all the training the RFU deliver to coaches, referees and medics, at all levels of the game.‘We believe that rugby is a fantastic sport for children, and the physical and social benefits massively outweigh any potential drawbacks.
article_snippet.sent: Among the many benefits rugby brings for children is an increase in confidence, self-esteem and self-discipline, as well as getting enjoyable physical exercise while working as part of a team, learning skills which help children in the wider world.
highlights_snippet.sent: Academics say The Government plans to increase school rugby games is risky .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Allyson Pollock wants to see an end to tackling and scrums in the game .