England World Cup winner Phil Vickery and ex-Wales star Gavin Henson are among 295 players suing rugby authorities over brain injuries.
Vickery’s fellow 2003 World Cup winner Mark Regan was also among a list of 226 former players published on Friday, amid attempts to form a class action lawsuit against World Rugby, the RFU and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Former England scrum-half Harry Ellis and ex-Wales flanker Colin Charvis were also among the latest names released publicly.
Lawyers for the near-300-strong group of former rugby players saw a request for a Group Litigation Order (GLO) denied in London’s High Court on Friday.
The group attempting to sue the rugby authorities will be granted another hearing in 2024, but were told to return with exhaustive medical records for all the players.
The players are seeking damages due to permanent brain damage they allege are a result of the governing bodies failing to put in place suitable measures to protect their health and safety.
World Rugby, the RFU and WRU released a joint statement in light of more players battling neurological conditions having their names released.
“Whilst today’s case management hearing was necessarily about legal process, we must not forget about the people and players at the heart of this case,” read the statement.
“Legal action prevents us from reaching out to support the players involved, many of whom are named publicly for the first time today.
“But we want them to know that we care deeply about their struggles, that we are listening and that they are members of the rugby family.
“The court’s ruling for the second time that the claimants’ solicitors must provide information previously asked for is a positive step.
“Rugby is committed to leading the welfare agenda in sport, driven by evolving science and research to protect and support players at all levels.”
