Report: Concussions on the rise again in England

LONDON (AP) A report by the governing body of English rugby has identified concussions as the most common match injury for the third straight year, with the number increasing 59 percent from the previous year.

According to the England Professional Rugby Injury Surveillance report released Thursday, there were 86 concussions reported by players from English clubs in the 2013-14 season and eight training concussions. That constituted 12.5 percent of all injuries.

The report says the significant increase ''is most likely to reflect increased awareness and behavioral change amongst players, medical staff, coaches and referees'' because of ''education initiatives and media exposure.''

The growing debate about the handling of concussions reopened last week after George North continued playing for Wales in its Six Nations loss to England on Friday despite being knocked unconscious.