Lee Byrne and Phil Greening named as part of concussion lawsuit
Steve Thompson, Mark Regan and Phil Vickery – members of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad – and former Wales star Gavin Hansen Gavin Henson, Colin Charvis and Ryan Jones as well as England and Lions scrimmage defender Harry Ellis Ellis are among those seeking compensation from World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union for failing to take reasonable steps to protect their health and safety.
They believe the alleged negligence led to long-term neurological complications.
World Rugby, the RFU and WRU have raised questions about the handling of the case by lawyers at the heart of the case.
They said in a joint statement: “Throughout the four years to date of this legal case, rugby’s priority has always been the welfare of its players.”
“While we have not been able to contact any of the individual players involved in the legal proceedings, we want them to know that we listen, we care and we will never stand still when it comes to player welfare.
“The delays in this case and the conduct of the plaintiff’s solicitors are very concerning. In the interests of the players we urge Rylands Garth to submit the full details of the case within all deadlines imposed by the court. We.
“Only in this way can we move the matter closer to a court hearing and thereby provide a resolution to this issue, which will certainly be in the interests of all parties.”
