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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

IRFU respond to news of legal cases taken against them by three former players

IRFU chiefs have insisted it would be "inappropriate" to comment directly on the legal cases taken by three Irish rugby players - including two former Ireland internationals - against the Union and World Rugby.

David Corkery, who was capped 27 times and was Ireland's player of the tournament in the 1995 World Cup and played his club rugby for Munster and Bristol, is among the trio.

Ex-international Declan Fitzpatrick who was capped seven times and played for Ulster - and former Leinster and Connacht forward Ben Marshall are the other two seeking damages.

READ MORE: IRFU respond to report of legal action from former players who say they have suffered brain injuries

They are all represented by the solicitors firm Maguire McClafferty.

On their website, Maguire McClafferty say they are representing a number of ex-pro rugby players 'in relation to concussion related head injuries sustained during the course of their career'.

The IRFU released a statement yesterday afternoon after news of the legal cases was revealed by The Currency.

"People in rugby have been moved by the personal accounts of former players as reported in the media," read the statement.

"Player welfare is of paramount importance to the IRFU and we are constantly reviewing safety protocols for all players.

"Our approach, based on scientific evidence, involves a commitment to ongoing education, monitoring and application of safety protocols across the game, including proactively managing elite player game time with a focus on injury prevention and oversight.

"As this is a legal matter it would be inappropriate to comment on these cases directly, which will now be handled by our insurers."

World Rugby, the RFU and WRU are already facing a class-action lawsuit that was launched on Monday by over 185 players.

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