Former British and Irish Lions Lee Byrne and Phil Greening are among 390 rugby union players suing World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for alleged negligence in protecting players from long-term neurological damage.
High-profile names in the lawsuit include Wales’ Grand Slam winner Byrne, England’s Phil Vickery, Steve Thompson, and Harry Ellis, as well as several former international players from Wales, Scotland, and England.
Women’s rugby legends like Heather Stirrup and Nic Evans have also joined the action.
Claimants allege the governing bodies failed to implement adequate safety measures, leading to chronic brain injuries and other complications.
The lawsuit highlights widespread concerns about the sport’s handling of player welfare.
The governing bodies have challenged the claimants’ legal team, Rylands Garth, citing delays and criticising their conduct in the case. They reaffirmed their commitment to player welfare, urging the case to move forward to resolution.
The firm is under investigation for allegedly pressuring players to join the lawsuit, with a judge recently ruling against them in a case involving former England prop Will Green.
