Gibbs warns of player "burn-out"
August 16, 2001

Scott Gibbs has issued a call to arms to all Welsh players to just say no the increasing demands of professional rugby.

The Lions tourist and captain of Welsh/Scottish champions Swansea is concerned that players are risking injury and burn-out by allowing themselves to be overworked.

All Whites' team mate Mark Taylor's injury, that could rule him out of the entire season, was seen as a prime example of what could happen if the players do not make a stand.

"The player has to put his hand up at times," he told the Western Mail. "He is a high-profile example of the effects of the circumstances players find themselves in."

Gibbs said the Taylor injury came as a direct result of the pressure on the player from on high to turn out for games exacerbating the problem when a lay-off could have averted the need for "nasty" surgery.

He said the WRU could not expect a club like Swansea, with a playing staff of just 35, to play 45 or more games in a season and he vowed to return to action this season only when he feels ready to do so.

Swansea are due in Belfast on Friday night to take on Ulster in their opening Celtic League fixture. This week the club signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with IT firm EDS.

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