Rugby’s authorities haven’t any fast plans to comply with American Soccer’s NFL in banning ‘smelling salts’ over considerations they might masks concussion signs.

Smelling salts – a pungent mixture of ammonia, water and ethanol – are marketed as enhancing psychological alertness or boosting vitality.

One research instructed that by irritating the nostril and lungs, they stimulate a pointy consumption of breath and a short-term rush of oxygen to the mind.

Nonetheless, in a memo to their groups, obtained by the Related Press,, exterior the NFL warned smelling salts additionally “have the potential to masks sure neurological indicators and signs, together with some potential indicators of concussion”.

Their use is frequent in high-level rugby dressing rooms.

Throughout half-time of the primary British and Irish Lions’ Check towards Australia final month, Lions flanker Tadhg Beirne was proven inhaling smelling salts as the remainder of the group huddled up.

Video of his use of smelling salts, and team-mate Jack Conan’s response, had been used on the group’s social media., exterior

Workforce-mate Ellis Genge has beforehand used them straight earlier than England matches, whereas Premier League footballers have been pictured apparently utilizing them on the pitch.