England defence coach Kevin Sinfield fears rugby could stop to exist in 20 years’ time due to the issues over the long-term results of concussion.

The 42-year-old believes the latest protection of former gamers with mind accidents and dementia has contributed to declining participation numbers – placing the long-term way forward for each rugby codes in danger.

Sinfield is in favour of reforms to make the game safer however worries going too far might destroy each league and union, which can trigger different societal points equivalent to weight problems.

In his new autobiography, The Additional Mile, he writes: ‘There are fewer gamers now than there have ever been. What hasn’t helped is the protection of the concussion challenge.

‘It makes issues robust for contact sports activities – league and union. In some unspecified time in the future the steadiness may tip too far, and we’ll find yourself with different societal issues as a result of folks aren’t exercising or taking part in group sports activities.

‘My fear is that in 20 years there’s no rugby left, and society has a a lot greater drawback with, for instance, weight problems.’

Sinfield’s 18-year-old son Jack is an expert rugby league participant for Leeds Rhinos and made his Tremendous League debut final 12 months.

However Sinfield provides in his e-book: ‘I’d truly choose Jack to have made his debut within the period after I got here on the scene.

‘Due to the variety of gamers taking part in contact sport, throughout all sports activities, and the issues about concussion, I’m undecided about rugby’s longevity.

‘For a younger participant the query then turns into – do you need to spend one of the best a part of your twenties chasing a dream that would collapse at any second? Or must you be taking a unique path?’

Sinfield’s former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrow was identified with motor neurone illness in 2019.

One research final 12 months discovered former worldwide rugby gamers is likely to be 15 occasions extra prone to develop the situation. However Sinfield, who has provided his personal mind for analysis, says: ‘No person can say for sure but how Rob sadly received what he received.’

Sinfield suffered two critical concussions throughout his personal profession, together with for the Rhinos of their 2012 Grand Closing win in opposition to Warrington, when he was additionally named man of the match.

However he has dominated out ever becoming a member of the group of former gamers suing the sport’s governing physique, the RFL, even when he was at some point identified with a neurodegenerative situation.

In an interview with Mail Sport, Sinfield provides: ‘I don’t know what the long run brings for me with my very own head. However I do know that with out going by way of my rugby experiences, I wouldn’t be the place I’m immediately, residing a life that is ready to give me fulfilment.

‘I’m absolutely on board with making the sport safer. I’ve received a son who performs, in fact I would like it to be secure.

‘However my concern is that we put folks off sport that a lot, that how highly effective sport is and what it could actually deliver to folks’s lives, we find yourself taking it away.

‘There’s a actually superb steadiness. I’ve actual sympathy for folks on the market who’re fighting concussion, we’ve received to attempt to assist them.

‘However we’ve additionally received to know how highly effective sport is in our communities and our lives and our friendships, and the way we glance after one another.’

The Additional Mile by Kevin Sinfield is launched immediately and revealed by Century (£20 hardback)