Has time run out for Rugby Union?

By Prof Dr Steve Cornelius Sports Law Centre University of Pretoria South Africa

In a previous post "Is Rugby sitting on a concussion time bomb?", I highlighted research at the University of Durham, which revealed that professional rugby players suffered more concussion during their career, than athletes in other sports. I warned that it was just a matter of time before former players would take legal action against rugby authorities for failing to provide adequate protection against traumatic head injuries. Hardly had I done so, the media announced that Ryan Jones, the former Welsh and British Lions international player, was instituting legal  action against World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Football Union and the English Rugby Union. Jones represented Wales in 75 tests and played three tests for the British Lions.

The 41-year-old was diagnosed with early onset dementia and was diagnosed with probably chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He suffers from short-term memory loss and depression.

Jones is not the only former player of his age, who is now facing an uncertain future. Another former Welsh player, Alix Popham (40), as well as former England player Steve Thompson (42), and five other players have also been diagnosed with early onset dementia and short-term memory loss.

In its reaction to the news, World Rugby stated that it has not yet received formal notification of the class action but reaffirmed that it took player welfare seriously.

However, at the same time, new rule variations, aimed at speeding up the game even further, were introduced.

In my previous contribution, I highlighted the fact that the significant increase in former players with severe long-term mental health concerns, coincided with the switch to professionalism and a concerted effort by World Rugby, to speed up the game and make it more attractive to spectators and television audiences. The actual time during which the ball was in play, increased significantly and with it, the number of tackles made and the potential for injuries.

In its reaction to the news, the Welsh rugby authorities ironically praised Jones for the bravery and courage with which he represented Wales, without for a moment stopping to consider whether it was that bravery and courage which has now sentenced him to an uncertain future.

Whilst World Rugby continues to change rules and speed up the game, they can surely not be trusted when they claim to take player welfare seriously.

What is required is to slow down the game and reduce the number of hits that players suffer during a game. But that would, at least in their view, detract from the spectacle of the game and have an impact on spectator and viewer numbers.

So players will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of big money with only lip service being paid to player safety!

Prof Dr Steve Cornelius may be contacted by e-mail at ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.