Brain trauma among former players is a ‘tragedy on an industrial scale’, claims lawyer, as ex-professionals launch legal action against rugby authorities for not protecting them

Rugby’s authorities have been told there is brain trauma ‘of an industrial scale’ among former professionals as the sport’s legal action continues.

Ex-players from both union and league are suing the game’s authorities after developing neurodegenerative illnesses such as early onset dementia, probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and motor neurone disease, among others.

In rugby union, the ex-players have launched legal action against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, claiming they were negligent in not protecting them from the problems with which they are now suffering during their careers.

Richard Boardman of Rylands Garth is the lawyer representing the players. Rylands say they now have 570 former rugby union players involved in the legal action.

But as things stand, only 326 are officially part of the court process.

World Cup winner Steve Thompson (pictured) now suffers from dementia, and former players are currently taking legal action against rugby authorities for not protecting them

‘There is a growing awareness among the player community about the scale of brain damage in collision and contact sports,’ Boardman said.

‘An average of two to three potential claimants are contacting us every day – sometimes as many as 10 – which is further proof this is a tragedy on an industrial scale.

‘We believe as many as one in two elite level rugby players will suffer some form of neurological impairment. People who have played front row in elite level rugby have a very high chance of developing neurological impairment. There are life changing consequences for the claimants and their families, harming nearly every aspect of their lives.’

On the back of BBC documentary Rugby on Trial – which was broadcast on Tuesday night and referenced the problems suffered by former union players – Caroline Dinenage, who is standing for re-election as chair of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee (DCMS), has called on MPs to re-examine the issue of concussion in sport.

‘If re-elected as chair, I will suggest members might want to take another look at the issues of concussions in sport. The BBC documentary this week has raised a number of important issues about the risks in rugby and how those dangers have been explained to players,’ Dinenage said.

‘While concussion in sport was considered more broadly by the committee is 2021, it is important this issue is revisited as more evidence or potential harm to players has emerged.’

The next stage in the legal case will be a court hearing in February but a final decision on the process and whether World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU will have to pay what would likely be millions in compensation is unlikely to come in the next two years.