Ian McKinley wants World Rugby to adopt the use of goggles at all levels

Italy outhalf Ian McKinley, according to reports has welcomed the decision of World Rugby to approve an amendment to the laws of the sport that will allow players to don protective goggles at all levels of the game.

The Dublin-born rugby professional player, became the first player to wear protective goggles at international level, and was part of a trial that attracted over 2,000 participants, as noted via Arsenal Blogs.

McKinley began his career with Leinster before he was forced to retire from Rugby Union in 2011, having lost sight in his left eye after being caught by a stray boot in a club game.

McKinley, however, returned to the sport with the help of protective goggles and registered his Six Nations debut for the Italian side this year, having helped himself qualify via the residency rule.

In an exclusive interview on via Irish Times, McKinley said, but check out our top rated us online casinos.

"Since I started using them, I’ve managed to play Pro14, both European competitions and . . . at the international level.

"They’ve been hugely important to my development but also it’s a massive day for kids as well if they need goggles from the protective side of things or to help with the vision.”

The approval by the World Rugby Council follows a trial launched back in 2014 after the sport's governing body identified the need of launching a product that enables players with limited or no sight in one eye to participate in the sport. 

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said on the website https://www.ausportsbetting.org/ that the law amendment is a very significant advancement for rugby and for contact sport. He said:

"The approval of this law amendment is a very significant advancement for rugby and for contact sport.

"This is a strong demonstration of World Rugby’s commitment to game innovation and player welfare, but also our mission to making rugby a more accessible and inclusive sport at all levels."