England legend Steve Thompson has accused rugby directors of ‘flogging gamers till they disintegrate’ as he referred to as for the federal government to behave on guarantees to handle the game’s concussion disaster.
The previous hooker, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, despatched shockwave by means of the rugby world three years in the past when he revealed he had been identified with early onset dementia.
In 2022, the ex-Northampton stalwart revealed he now not remembered successful the World Cup with England, nor the title of his spouse and youngsters.
Since Thompson’s analysis, the impression of CTE – a neurogenerative illness linked to repeated trauma to the pinnacle – and neurological ailments on gamers in retirement has been one of many sport’s greatest speaking factors.
And Thompson warned a number of of the present gamers confronted the same plight until motion was taken.
Steve Thompson has accused rugby directors of ‘flogging gamers till they disintegrate’
The previous England star was identified with early onset dementia again in 2020
‘It [rugby] just isn’t gonna be a secure sport,’ the previous England worldwide advised ITV‘s Good Morning Britain on Wednesday when requested whether or not rugby would ever be a secure sport.
‘However with regards to the CTE facet of it and the repetitive head accidents, they’re coming from the coaching as properly.’
World Rugby and the nationwide unions have repeatedly insisted gamers welfare was their precedence, however Thompson dismissed the claims as lip service.
He warned the introduction of a brand new World Membership Cup will stretch an already congested calendar to breaking level.
‘They are saying that taking care of the gamers is their primary precedence, however they’re nearly placing one other world event [together] for golf equipment,’ he stated.
‘Gamers are going to be taking part in all 12 months spherical, they’ll be coaching all 12 months spherical and that is the place it [the damage] occurs.’
As Mail Sport reported final week, the inaugural version of the Membership World Cup is slated to happen in June 2028.
Thompson gained the 2003 Rugby World Cup with England as they beat Australia in extra-time
The previous hooker revealed in 2022 that he may now not keep in mind successful the World Cup
Thompson gained 73 caps for England between 2002 and 2011 and performed 195 video games for Northampton between 1998 and 2007
Thompson, who gained 73 England caps between 2002 and 2011, famous rugby’s present schedule was considerably longer than that of the NFL, one other sport which has been beset by a CTE disaster amongst retired gamers.
However not like the rugby season, which runs from September till Might, the NFL common seasons stretches over 17 weeks plus as much as 4 weeks within the play-offs.
Considerably, coaches are solely permitted to schedule 16 contact classes every year.
‘American soccer is on for 3 to 4 months and they’re resting for the remainder of the 12 months,’ Thompson stated.
‘That does not occur in rugby, they’re simply actually flogging the gamers till they disintegrate.’
Thompson is certainly one of 328 ex-players taking authorized motion towards World Rugby, the RFU and Wales Rugby Union after struggling dementia signs in a bunch that features his former worldwide team-mates Phil Vickery and Mark Regan.
Ex-Wales stars Gavin Henson, Lenny Woodard and Ryan Jones have additionally joined the authorized motion.
The claimants are searching for damages as they argue World Rugby, the RFU and WRU have been negligent and failed of their obligation of care by not setting up any affordable measures to guard their well being and security.
The authorized claimants are searching for damages but additionally change within the sport they performed to guard the gamers of at the moment.
‘We don’t consider elite stage rugby in both code (union or league) is secure in its present type,’ the claimants stated in an announcement.
‘With out reform to the sport, many extra gamers will find yourself affected by important neurological impairment.’
The three governing our bodies strongly refute the allegation. World Rugby say they’ve solely acquired authorized discover of 269 union claimants.
In an announcement in December final 12 months, World Rugby stated: ‘Authorized motion prevents us reaching out to assist the gamers concerned.
Thompson’s former entrance row team-mate Mark Regan can be concerned within the concussion lawsuit towards World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU
Former Welsh Rugby poster-boy Gavin Henson was additionally named as a claimant on the Royal Courts of Justice
Lawyer Richard Boardman accused World Rugby and the RFU of being in denial over the difficulty
‘However we wish them to know that we care deeply about their struggles, that we’re listening and that they’re members of the rugby household.
‘The court docket’s ruling for the second time that the claimants’ solicitors should present info beforehand requested for is a constructive step. Participant welfare is rugby’s high precedence.’
Either side have criticised the opposite in the course of the authorized course of.
The following step can be a Excessive Courtroom listening to in London on Might 20 when the lawsuits in union and league can be heard collectively for the primary time as a part of a bunch litigation order.