"It needs to be led by people without vested interests in rugby union, but looking at it purely from a point of view of personal injury."
Since the first tournament in 1987, the size of players has increased - forwards by 8.9kg (20lb) and backs by 8.5kg (18lb) - which has in turn led to an increase in players getting injured.
While players are getting bigger, their joints are not getting stronger, according to Fairclough.
"The physics of it are fairly simple," he added.
"A heavy weight travelling at speed versus another heavy weight travelling at speed will create an impact collision force that is very high. Players have got bigger but joints have not got stronger.
"The body is not built to withstand those types of collisions so you will have more injuries."
WORLD CUP WITHDRAWALS
2007 World Cup
All teams - 25
Home nations - 2
Quarter finalists - 12
2011 World Cup
All teams - 16
Home nations - 2
Quarter finalists - 10
2015 World Cup
All teams - 34
Home Nations - 13
Quarter finalists - 17
Players withdrawn due to injury from 2015 World Cup:
New Zealand
Tony Woodcock (hamstring)
Wales
Cory Allen (hamstring)
Scott Williams (knee)
Hallam Amos (shoulder)
Italy
Andrea Masi (Achilles)
Martin Castrogiovanni (knee tumour)
Michele Rizzo (knee)
Gonzalo Garcia (knee)
Ireland
Paul O'Connell (hamstring)
Peter O'Mahony (knee)
Jared Payne (foot)
Canada
Connor Braid (jaw)
Liam Underwood (knee)
Australia
Will Skelton (pectoral muscle)
Wycliff Palu (hamstring)
Fiji
Isei Colati (knee)
Waisea Nayacalevu (knee)
England
Billy Vunipola (knee)
France
Yoann Huget (knee)
Scotland
Grant Gilchrist (groin)
South Africa
Jean de Villiers (jaw)