Video -'The collision rate is really, really high' - O'Callaghan calls for rule changes

Donnacha O’Callaghan believes depression is rampant in rugby, among both active and retired players.

The 38-year-old Worcester captain is hanging up his boots at the end of the season and thinks the mental side of things will be his biggest challenge.

“I think it will be tough for me, I think it will be area that I’ll probably need to put the most amount of work in. The big thing is that you’re losing your job. That happens to everyone, but you are actually losing 30 friends that you hang around with for eight hours a day and there is that dressing room feel and excitement that you like being around. I think that is the area that I’ll miss, but for me it is about understanding that.”

The former Ireland and Munster second row feels more needs to be done to tackle depression within the game.

“You are involved in competitive sport with a lot of alpha males that don’t like showing weaknesses and you are afraid to talk about when you are feeling down or something might be getting on top of you. And I think that guys certainly need support with that. The players unions have been good, but I think they need to be better. I think across all areas of it, especially education.”

Several medical studies have shown that head trauma and concussion lead to increased prevalence in depression and it’s something that O’Callaghan can relate to.

“Yeah 100 per cent. I can tell you from having a concussion myself. The biggest thing I noticed is that I was edgy, I was grumpy – not myself – looking to get rows with people where normally I’d be hugging them or something like that.”

“That has been one of the greatest improvements of the last three years. Before it was stand your teammate up, get him in the line at all costs, don’t look weak. Whereas now it’s ‘my teammate needs help’ and everyone helps. One hundred per cent there are more collisions in the sport now and I think we’re all more aware now of head injuries, but I think we need to keep going in the vein we’re going”

“What’s brilliant is collisions from games two days on guys can be tested, whereas before it was ‘don’t show weakness’ and I think that is the wrong type of mentality especially to such an important area like that.”

But O’Callaghan believes more needs to be done to protect players from the dangers of concussion.

“You want the game to be safe. At the moment I do think the collision rate is really, really high. Hopefully some rule changes that would lead to maybe going back a step to a more skillful game.”

“You see the Saracens guys wearing a little chip to register. So hopefully there can be more developments in areas like that to make sure guys are protected. We did a saliva test at the start of this year, I know a few of my teammates who have missed an awful lot of games have gone off and seen neurosurgeons.”

His club Worcester Warriors face London Irish in the Aviva Premiership this weekend, they hold a 16 point advantage over their relegation rivals. Victory would almost certainly see them safe so they can build for next season.

“You can only chat about that when you’re safe and we’re not. As captain I’ve put the leash on the lads and saying ‘let’s get safe’ because there is warts. It’s like every club, there are areas that need to be improved on. I’ll be honest, of all the things I have achieved in rugby staying up with Worcester this year I think is really up there. It really is up there with Grand Slams and European Cups.”

“We had every excuse to just roll over I think the players have been incredible, that they didn’t let the things going on off the pitch affect them one bit. It has been tough, it really has. I had so much time for my teammates that day. They didn’t look to bitch or moan, or take the easy excuse. The dug in and if we can stay up this year it will be an incredible, incredible achievement. Because I promise you a the start of the year we were talking about pushing on, but for all the reasons that have gone on – with changes of coaches, management and ownership – it’s been a rocky, rocky ride.”

Ireland take on Wales in Dublin on Saturday and it’s a game that O’Callaghan is relishing.

“I think there is an incredible tie with the Welsh. You get on so well with them on tour, they’re really great guys, but then when it comes to one game a year you’d nearly take the heads off each other. I’ve always felt that there was more pressure on you when you are playing Wales at home, because especially when you play them away it is a freebie, you can express yourself a bit more. ”

“It is going to be a tough game. Everyone is looking towards Paddy’s Day and I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it. These next two matches are massive and how we go this Saturday will be really interesting.”

Warren Gatland looks forward to Ireland clash

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt relaxed over absence of three Lions

Donncha O’Callaghan spoke to RugbyPass after he was announced as the new ambassador for Centra’s healthy living initiative, Live Well.  The Live Well plan encourages people to make simple changes to their lifestyle, aiming to make healthy living as easy as possible. Centra are encouraging people to live well, while still making the most of every day.