SAN FRANCISCO, December 09, (THEWILL) – Former England international and 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson is preparing a legal claim against world rugby’s governing bodies for negligence. He is joined by seven other former players in what is the first legal move of its kind in world rugby.
The 42-year-old Thompson and the seven ex-professionals, who are all under the age of 45, have all been diagnosed as having early onset dementia. They are therefore claiming rugby union has left them with irreversible brain damage.
The claim holds that the governing bodies failed in their duty of care. Their letter of claim, in which they seek millions of pounds in damages, will be sent to the governing bodies for English and Welsh rugby and World Rugby next week. The group belongs to the first generation to have played an entire career of rugby union full-time.
Comments from lawyers for the group suggest that another set of 80 former players between the ages of 25 and 55 are showing related symptoms.
Thompson says he cannot remember anything from the 2003 World Cup and is sometimes unable to recall the name of his own wife. He played 73 times for England and three for the British and Irish Lions.
“You see us lifting the World Cup and I can see me there jumping around. But I can’t remember it,” Thompson said.
Included in the group are 41-year-old Alix Popham who was capped 33 times for Wales as a flanker or No 8, and Michael Lipman, 40, who played 10 times for England as a flanker.
Thompson’s position as hooker in the front row of the scrum is considered one of the most physically demanding roles in the sport.
In a statement, World Rugby reacted by saying:
“While not commenting on speculation, World Rugby takes player safety very seriously and implements injury-prevention strategies based on the latest available knowledge, research and evidence.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
