Former British internationals suffering from neurological damage, including hooker Steve Thompson and third line Ryan Jones, will file a complaint on Monday against World Rugby and the English and Welsh federations, the law firm which defends them announced on Sunday.
According to the Press Association (PA), Rylands Law, acting on behalf of a group of players, including 2003 World Cup winner Thompson and former Wales captain Ryan Jones, is to sue legal action against the international body that governs rugby (15 and 7) and the federations concerned.
Dementia praecox and severe neurological disorders
PA indicates that the procedure will be initiated on Monday, the parties (players and federations) having so far failed to agree on a regulation to protect players against the risk of concussion. Ex-Wales captain and third line Ryan Jones revealed last week in a Sunday Times interviewto suffer at only 41 years of early dementia probably linked to the repetition of shocks during his career.
Also suffering from severe neurological disorders, Steve Thompson has been fighting for several years “to make rugby safer”, he said last September. In December 2020, this group of former players announced their intention to seek compensation from World Rugby and the English and Welsh federations.