Rugby brain injury case faces major setback

A landmark legal action brought by hundreds of former rugby players over alleged brain injuries is facing a major setback after a High Court judge considered whether to strike out most of the first group of claims.

Rugby Brain Injury Case Faces Collapse

The case involves former rugby union and rugby league players who allege they suffered neurological damage during their playing careers.

They claim World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Rugby Football Union, the Rugby Football League and the British Amateur Rugby League Association failed in their duty of care to protect players from long-term brain injury risks.

The governing bodies deny wrongdoing and are defending the claims.

High Court Considers Strike Out

Senior Master Jeremy Cook is considering whether to strike out around 95 percent of the first batch of 561 claimants. The issue centres on alleged failures to disclose all available documents linked to neurological testing.

"The only complaint in this case is against the way Mr Boardman has handled the material," Cook said.

"No claimant in this case can be said in any way, shape or form to be responsible for the deficiencies in the way this case has been presented.

Former Players Seek New Lawyers

The claimants are now seeking new legal representation after ending their relationship with Rylands Garth. The case has already been running for several years and has involved major legal costs.

High-profile former players involved in the action include Steve Thompson, Mark Regan, Phil Vickery, Colin Charvis, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones, Lee Byrne and Alix Popham.

"We hope it will help provide the momentum required to move the proceedings forward as efficiently as possible," said Popham.

"We have got three buses full of passengers going to the same destination," he said. "The first bus, the driver drives them off a cliff and the result is that they don't get to the destination.

"The other two get to the destination. What of those on the first bus?"

The players allege they suffered conditions including early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy linked to repeated head impacts during their careers.