Former England and Worcester wing, Kat Merchant, is advocating for women's rugby to adopt safety measures inspired by the men's game. Merchant, who won the World Cup in 2014, retired at 28 due to health concerns after suffering 11 confirmed concussions. Now, at 40 and working as a personal trainer, she is dedicated to educating the next generation of players. She emphasizes the importance of learning from the men's game to enhance player safety, stating, 'I just hope we can learn from the men's game and put that support into the women's game.' Merchant, who is not involved in the current legal action against the sport's authorities, is focused on ensuring better support for players during and after their careers. She aims to educate players about concussions and safe playing practices, stating, 'What I want to do is help to educate players so they know what concussions look like and how to still play rugby but be safe.' Merchant's advocacy highlights the need for improved safety measures in women's rugby, reflecting the growing awareness of player health in the sport.
