Summary
Anthony Watson, a former rugby player for the British and Irish Lions, admitted to cheating a concussion test during a 2017 match in New Zealand. He memorized specific words to pass the test and return to play despite a head injury. Rugby has since updated its concussion testing to prevent such cheating.
Key Facts
- Anthony Watson cheated a head-injury test during a 2017 Lions rugby match.
- Watson memorized words to pass the test and return to the game after a head collision.
- The test needed players to remember a set of five words to determine if they had a concussion.
- Rugby now uses a random sequence of 20 words for these tests.
- Independent doctors check videos and data to assess players' head injuries.
- Despite a severe headache later, Watson said he would not change his decision.
- The change in the test protocol aims to prevent players from memorizing answers.
