Former rugby players have again expressed their concerns over potential long-term brain problems.
A number of ex-players are involved in a legal battle with rugby bosses as they battle significant brain injuries, including England World Cup winner Steve Thompson.
The Rugby Players' Association has now released figures highlighting the worrying amount of players who believe they are dealing with the effects of concussion from their playing days.
The Mail reports that over 180 former players were surveyed on their health last year, with more than 50 percent believing they had suffered from a long-term brain issue.
It is also claimed that over 80 percent of those players would seek expert advice to deal with the concerns.
The news comes after England international Tom Curry backed rugby's concussion protocols after his head injury in the summer Tour of Australia.
Curry, who was stood down from the final two Tests, insisted he had "full confidence" in his long-term health, amid the legal battle involving some former players.
Thompson was part of the England team that won the World Cup in 2003 and is seeking compensation as he battles early onset dementia and possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy, caused by repeated blows to the head.
The new protocol, introduced this summer, states any player who is removed from a match with concussion must sit out at least the next 12 days.
"Rugby is being put into a better spot with research and what's going on," Curry said. "I've got full confidence in my long-term health. I'll let the scientists take care of that and let's crack on and play rugby.
"If the research backs the change to the protocols then I'm all for it. At the end of the day my job is to play rugby."
