Christian Day praised the work done on understanding concussion © Getty Images

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Players could go on strike unless concerns about their safety are properly addressed, warns new Rugby Players' Association chairman Christian Day.

Northampton lock Day, who last month took over from Gloucester's Will James as the players' union boss, applauded the new protocols over concussion, but said there was still much work to be done on issues such as insurance, rest periods and game limits.

Speaking to the Rugby Paper, Day called for the introduction of mandatory rest periods over the summer. He said: "That's at the forefront of most players' minds and ultimately, there's a huge onus on Premiership Rugby (PRL) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to ensure player welfare because we're the ones earning their money."

Day insisted he does not want to see rugby go down the same route as American sports, where player power means top stars regularly go on strike. However, he said rugby's authorities have a duty to ensure that their most valuable assets - the players - are properly cared for.

"We've looked at American sport where player power is huge and we're not looking to get to that level," Day added. "That said, if it reaches a point where it feels like rugby players are not being looked after, we may rise up and you could lose your major asset."

Day praised rugby officials for the work done on understanding concussion in the game, saying whereas 10 years ago "tough guys" were thought of as ones who carried on playing after being knocked out, nowadays such players are the "stupid guys".

A big area of concern for Day, however, is the number of games in a player's calendar, given the brutality of the game which has seen "more forced retirements in the last four years than ever before".

"Players are worried about too many games," Day said. "Last season at Northampton, an incredibly successful one, we played every single weekend and I topped out at 32 games, which is the mandated maximum, so it's a big concern for me.

"We'd prefer bigger rest periods and a guaranteed mid-season break, although we realise the latter is unlikely when you've got the autumn Tests, the Six Nations, the LV= Cup and all the European games on top of a fiercely competitive Premiership."