In the week that Jonny Wilkinson was ruled out of the autumn internationals with a shoulder injury and Phil Vickery retired after finally succumbing to neck and back injuries, the International Rugby Board announced that it would hold a three-day medical conference in London next week.

The IRB said the conference's central theme would be putting players first, focusing on welfare and injury prevention. The Arsenal team doctor, Gary O'Driscoll, who was with the Lions in South Africa last year, will be among the speakers, along with the former Scotland wing, Thom Evans, who suffered a career-ending neck injury earlier this year.

"The welfare of players at all levels is of critical importance to the Board," said the IRB chairman, Bernard Lapasset. "We have a universal system of injury reporting and expert medical groups have devised policy on key areas, including concussion management, cardiac screening and training and education best practice.

"But more can be done. The outcomes from the conference must, and will, drive policy making and the continued dissemination of information to those playing, coaching and officiating the game. We are committed to ensuring that this year's conference will be a catalyst for enhanced player welfare practices from grass roots to the elite level."