“Our view is that the game has actually never been safer than it is now,” Gosper said. “We were devastated as were the families, the clubs and the union involved in that series. That is a spike that is incredibly unusual and each event in itself which we’ve been examining is specific to that particular case.

“What it does is you make sure that you focus again and keep your focus and your obsession with furthering player welfare.”

Gosper also said rugby was a world leader in its enforcement of protocols concerning concussion and that players were adapting to stricter law interpretations around tackle heights.

“We believe that we lead the world in contact sports in terms of our protocols around the Head Injury Assessment. Prior to the Head Injury Assessment introduction, there was something like 56% of players who were tested on the field were later found to have had concussion and that figure is now down to between 5 and 8%.

“I think we’re at the fore of it and actually that reduction in the elite game is a significant reduction, the first reduction we’ve seen since the introduction of HIA.

“Look, it is a reality in contact sport. It’s up to us to manage our protocols. The referees know we have a zero tolerance in that area and in the large part referees are applying the law and I think players themselves because they know those sanctions are there, are gradually lowering the height of their tackles.”

Former advertising executive Gosper also spoke of his anticipation for this year’s World Cup, which kicks off on September 20 in Japan.

“We’ve been excited for a long time. It’s been 10 years coming since they were appointed. It’s been a long road but we are hugely excited. It is such a great context and an incredible backdrop for a World Cup we’ve not seen before.

“There’s been five million ticket demands so we could have sold it a few times over if we’d really wanted to but it’s very, very exciting. Actually, we’d forecast on a number of criteria that it would be slightly smaller, less commercial revenue, less economic activity, and in all those things it will beat records in every area except for ticketing due to the size of the actual stadia.

“But what a fabulous context to see the sport of rugby in a place like Japan. It will open eyes through Asia. It will open eyes throughout the world.”

He also foresees the women’s game turning professional following England’s decision to put its 15-a-side players on full-time contracts at the start of the year.

“You’ve got to go at the speed you can afford to do that and some unions obviously have the means to do that faster than others. But that is the direction of travel.

“Over time, rugby will become a professional sport for women in the major markets and beyond and of course with national Olympic committee money and sevens money in the game that will help things along.”

Meanwhile, Wales have been handed an injury boost ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with England as fly-half Dan Biggar trained yesterday.

Biggar went off with his knee heavily strapped just 20 minutes into Northampton Saints’ Gallagher Premiership victory over Sale on Saturday.

Northampton rugby director Chris Boyd said Biggar had suffered “a tiny tweak” and his exit had been precautionary.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley told WRU TV: “This morning, (Biggar) has come in, he will have some physio and he will be able to take part in training, which is a huge positive for us.”

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny, who has not played since suffering concussion three months ago, is back with the Wales squad.

He was released to play for the Scarlets last weekend, but was then left out of their match-day group that took on Benetton in Italy.

“He trained with us last week and we will integrate again this week,” Howley added. “Any news on selection will be taken at the end of the week.”

We believe that we lead the world in contact sports in terms of our protocols around the Head Injury Assessment