Rugby players in legal action face intimidation, court hears

Former Wales international Dafydd James is among the ex-players bringing the legal action

Rugby players suing the game's authorities have been subject to intimidation, the High Court has heard.

Nearly 200 players are suing the Welsh Rugby Union, Rugby Football Union and World Rugby for head injuries they claim they sustained while playing.

Players in "small communities" have faced intimidation and abuse, said the players' counsel told a hearing.

"None of us are in this to destroy the sport," Susan Rodway KC told the court.

The case management hearing was told that the players were suffering from progressive and deteriorating neurological conditions.

Ms Rodway said some of the former professionals, as trained athletes, were so large that they would require "sophisticated, full-time care".

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The court was told some of the players suffering from persistent post-concussion syndrome were "stable" but the condition was progressing in other players.

The 169 former professional and 66 ex-amateur sportsmen and women involved in the case have undergone neurological interviews and neuropsychological tests, the court heard.

Players who have previously spoken publicly about having these conditions include England's 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson and former Wales international Dafydd James - both of whom are bringing legal action.

Ms Rodway said among the issues to be decided were duty of care, breach of duty and causation, then, past and future losses.

World Rugby Limited, Welsh Rugby Limited and the Rugby Football Union were named as defendants and Friday's hearing was preliminary to decide how the rest of the cases would proceed.

The court heard lawyers for the players had asked for disclosure of documents regarding the regulations and guidelines for head injuries, including return-to-play protocols, health surveillance and research studies.

The application was opposed by the defendants on the basis that the request was "overwide and unfocused".

Judge Barbara Fontaine ruled World Rugby should provide old versions of its concussion management rules, but that no other disclosure was required.

Aside from this, the judge dismissed the application and awarded costs for the hearing to the defendants.

In a statement on behalf of all three defendants, the said they are "incredibly saddened" by the former players' health issues.

They added: "The court's rulings today are welcome and player welfare will continue to remain as rugby's number one priority."