Concussion case: Rugby must ‘change or die’

• Published date: 28 July 2022

Telegraph Sport can reveal new details of the lawsuit that was due to be filed at court on behalf of a group of professional and semi-professional players including Alix Popham, the former Wales international, as part of the biggest “class action” lawsuit outside of the United States

Popham, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia aged just 40, has urged governing bodies to take immediate action after claiming they were negligent for failing to protect players from debilitating brain injuries.

The lawsuit issued to the court by Rylands Law, representing the players, reveals:

● The class action covers players ranging from their twenties to their sixties

● Another 50 players are going through testing, or waiting for results, with around two joining the legal proceedings every week

● There are fears players will take their own lives if not supported

● Female players are now confirmed as part of the claimants

● As many as “a few dozen” amateur rugby players are involved

● There are concerns about how the NHS will cope with taking care of high numbers of retired professional athletes in middle age suffering from early-onset dementia.

Twenty players contacted brain charity Head for Change after former Wales captain Ryan Jones revealed last week that he was suffering from early-onset dementia, aged 41.

Health conditions among the claimants range from those suffering with more extreme cases of motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease and probably moderate chronic traumatic encephalopathy, with the latter confirmed only following post-mortem. The least extreme cases include players suffering from mild post-concussion syndrome, which can last for weeks, months or longer, while others in between suffer from epilepsy and the start of progressive neurodegenerative disease, such as early-onset dementia.

Symptoms include chronic depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, aggression, addiction to alcohol and drugs as a result of their brain injuries, and a worsening memory and inability to concentrate.

“It’s all pretty grim, to be honest,and quite consistent across the board,” Richard Boardman, of Rylands Law, said.

“From our point of view, the ideal outcome is to get damages for the players and their young families to make sure they are looked after, and then ensure they have that clinical support in place. At the moment, there is a considerable vacuum once a player has been diagnosed.

“We’re trying to work with foundations and charities and some kind clinicians...