Gavin Henson among hundreds of former rugby players suing over brain injuries

The players claim repeated blows to the head have left them with illnesses including dementia and depression

Author: Gavin RutterPublished 1st Dec 2023
Last updated 1st Dec 2023

Ex-Wales Rugby international Gavin Henson is among hundreds of former players who have begun legal action against the sport's governing bodies, over what they say are life-changing brain injuries.

The players claim repeated blows to the head have left them with illnesses including dementia and depression, and that crucial, health-preserving information wasn't shared.

England World Cup winner Phil Vickery is also among nearly 300 retired players involved.

The High Court has ruled they must wait until next year for their application for a group litigation order to be decided.

Ex-Welsh player Adam Hughes, who is also involved in the action, described why they are taking action. He said: "It's when you start losing huge gaps in your memory.

"I don't remember very much about my 20s at all and that's when you start to realise that this isn't normal.

"You don't feel right, you don't feel yourself and you take a long time to recover back to where you should be."

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