Ex-Rugby Union stars suing governing bodies over life-changing brain injuries

19 November 2023 , 21:07

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Steve Thompson with his wife Steph (Image: STEVE ALLEN)

Almont 300 former rugby union stars will next week launch a legal action against the sport’s governing bodies, blaming them for their life-changing brain injuries.

England World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson is one of 294 players who claim blows to the head in matches and training left them with illnesses such as depression or dementia. They claim World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union in England and the Welsh Rugby Union failed in their duties of care.

The claims, which their solicitor plans to have heard at the High Court in London on December 1, detail the devastating impact on the players’ lives. Most relate to them not getting the right medical attention for injuries, or being rushed back into action too soon or without proper medical checks.

Michael Lipman, 43, who won 10 caps for England between 2004 and 2008, is among those claiming his life has been wrecked. A neurologist’s report says the flanker “suffered at least five episodes of loss of consciousness during a game, which would be sufficient for a classification of mild traumatic brain injury”. It adds he “now suffers from headache, sleep disturbance, difficulties with short-term memory, problems with learning, anxiety, depression” and more.

World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU said: “The players’ lawyers have yet to provide full details of the claims. We want players involved to know... we care and continue to champion player welfare as the sport’s No1 priority.”

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