Rugby concussion lawsuit has more than 1,100 former players involved

More than 520 additional former rugby players have joined a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities, according to the law firm bringing the case.

Rylands Garth says there are now more than 1,100 former players involved, with 784 from rugby union and 319 from rugby league.

Steve Thompson, Mark Regan and Phil Vickery – part of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad – former Wales stars Gavin Henson, Colin Charvis and Ryan Jones and England and British and Lions scrum-half Harry Ellis are among those seeking damages from World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.

In November, former British and Irish Lions duo Lee Byrne and Phil Greening were confirmed to have joined the concussion lawsuit.

The former players claim the governing bodies were negligent in failing to take reasonable action to protect them from serious brain injuries.

A similar action is being taken against the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA).

“Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game,” a Rylands Garth spokesperson said.