Two of rugby's top medical minds will lead an in-depth discussion on player welfare at World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016 (ConfEx), which takes place on 14-15 November at the Hilton London Metropole. 

World Rugby Chief Medical Officer Dr Martin Raftery and Dr Ken Quarrie, Senior Scientist at New Zealand Rugby, will take time out from the World Rugby Medical Commission Conference, which is running alongside ConfEx 2016, to offer delegates a closer look at the strategies being implemented across the sport to reduce injury risk and further enhance the level of player welfare provided at all levels of the game.
 
Taking place on the exhibition stage, the pair will be joined by Josh Blackie, Member Services at the International Rugby Players' Association (IRPA), to examine World Rugby's proactive approach to developing evidence-based education, management and research policies and guidelines to ensure the best-possible duty of care for players. 

Dr Raftery said: "Player welfare is World Rugby's number-one priority and I look forward to joining my colleague Dr Quarrie and Josh Blackie from IRPA to share an update on the very latest research and developments crucial to this area.”   
 
Under the theme The future of rugby, ConfEx 2016 will also examine other key opportunities and challenges the sport is facing, including the future of coaching, the use of data in performance management, fan engagement and how rugby can make the most of its hugely successful return to the Olympic programme at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The World Rugby Awards 2016 will be held on the eve of the event for the first time. Taking place at the Hilton London Metropole on 13 November, the Awards will celebrate the accomplishments of players, coaches and teams from across the globe during 2016