A one-million-euro mental health plan over four years

Born of the 2023-2027 strategic plan, the LNR’s “mental health” programme represents an investment of one million euros over four years. Built with the LNR’s medical committee, the FFR and the Provale, Tech XV and UCPR unions, it is organised around three pillars: prevention, detection and personalised care.

Its six strands have already reached more than 1,500 players in two years. From the 2026/2027 season, the scheme provides for the general roll-out of pre-season psychological assessments based on the International Olympic Committee’s SMHAT-1 questionnaire. It also relies on a dedicated telephone line, guaranteeing immediate and confidential help, and on a mini-series, “Têtes hautes”, filmed at several Top 14 clubs to put a human face on the subject.

Santé Rugby, the unified medical record

In place since autumn 2025, the Santé Rugby digital platform for the player health record (DSJ) aims to centralise and secure the medical monitoring of professional players. It is currently being trialled at four pilot clubs: Racing 92, Stade Toulousain, CA Brive and Stade Montois.

Presented as a “sovereign, secure and interoperable” tool, the platform is intended to strengthen prevention and improve the coordination of care across a player’s whole pathway. Its roll-out to every professional club is planned from autumn 2026.

A dedicated concussion pathway

A sensitive subject if ever there was one, the management of concussion takes a further step. In 2025/2026, the FFR and the LNR launched a dedicated pathway for players and former players who have suffered multiple concussions and may be exposed to long-term neurological consequences.

Begun in early 2025 on the basis of work by the FFR/LNR’s lead neurosurgeon, the project sets out a complete process: identifying the players concerned, standardised and scientifically validated examinations, a multidisciplinary panel of experts responsible for reaching a diagnosis, then the definition of a treatment and follow-up protocol. Ultimately, what is at stake goes beyond a playing career.

Supporting life after rugby

Finally, welfare fits into a broader logic of support. The new model for evaluating academy policy now includes preparation for life after rugby, alongside the pre-academy and the academy itself. A reminder that protecting a player also means preparing their life once the boots are hung up.