World Rugby release a joint statement after receipt of concussion legal case letter

World Rugby, The Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby have confirmed that they have received a letter of claim from solicitors representing certain players.

Rylands Law, which announced the move on Thursday, revealed that two more players, Adam Hughes, a former Welsh U20 international, and Neil Spence, a former England U21 international, have joined the claim made by players over the impact of head injuries suffered during their careers. Four more players have also joined the action, but wish to remain anonymous at this point, which brings the total number involved in the test case to nine.

This comes after Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson and seven other former players claimed the sport has left them with permanent brain damage. Every member of the group has recently been diagnosed with the early signs of dementia, and they say repeated blows to the head are to blame.

The joint statement on behalf of World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union read as follows:

'World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union can confirm they have received a letter of claim from solicitors representing certain players and will now take time to consider its contents.

We have been deeply saddened to hear the brave personal accounts from former players.

Rugby is a contact sport and while there is an element of risk to playing any sport, rugby takes player welfare extremely seriously and it continues to be our number one priority. As a result of scientific knowledge improving, rugby has developed its approach to concussion surveillance, education, management and prevention across the whole game.

We have implemented coach, referee and player education and best practice protocols across the game and rugby’s approach to head injury assessments and concussion protocols has been recognised and led to many other team sports adopting our guidance.

We will continue to use medical evidence and research to keep evolving our approach.

As with any potential legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the letter.'