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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Exclusive by Matt Hughes

Former England players accuse RFU of ‘suppressing data’ in brain injuries case

RFU Steve Thompson Brain England Rugby WRU RFL The Rugby Football Union the Welsh Rugby Union
England’s Steve Thompson is tackled against Australia in 2010
England’s Steve Thompson is tackled in a match against Australia in 2010. The former player is one of dozens calling for an ‘urgent investigation’. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The England World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Mark Regan have accused the Rugby Football Union of “suppressing their medical records” in a significant escalation of their landmark legal battle over brain injuries.

In a letter sent to the Information Commissioner’s Office they and 42 other former players have called for an “urgent investigation” into the failure of the RFU and other rugby bodies to hand over personal data that is pertinent to their case and could be crucial to their clinical treatment. The letter has also been signed by rugby league and amateur players, as well as families of dead former players.

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