The International Rugby Board (IRB) says it is tackling the issue of concussion, reducing the number of concussed players staying on the field from 56% to 13% in the past year.
Medics from 29 member nations met in Dublin this week to discuss medical and player welfare issues.
IRBs chief medical officer Dr Martin Raftery says changes to assessment have brought about a considerable reduction in the number of players staying on the pitch while concussed.
But he says there is still plenty of work to be done, and the aim in 2014 is to bring the number down further through more education and research.
The medics also discussed pitch-side care, anti-doping, scrum forces and cervical spine care.
