The issue of brain injuries in rugby has never been more important. Impending legal action from a group of former players - many of which are Welsh - against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union could prove to be a sliding doors moment for the sport.
Former Wales flanker Alix Popham is one of the players leading that charge, while there are other former Welsh players - both named and unnamed - also involved in the case, as first revealed by WalesOnline. Were that not enough, the news of James Davies' retirement last week after struggling to recover from a head injury shone further light on the matter.
Scarlets talisman Davies, who won 11 caps for Wales during his career, is the third international to be forced into retirement this year from brain injuries - with New Zealand flanker Dillon Hunt and Australia full-back Dane Heylett-Petty both hanging up the boots after concussions. He's not the first Welsh player either to have retired either, with a worrying number having to finish playing over the years.
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A number of Welsh stars have been forced into retirement due to head injuries. Here's some of the most recent and how they've been affected.
Ben John
The Ospreys back retired in January 2019 at the age of 27, having taken a year out of the game after a number of concussions. His last appearance on a rugby pitch was a Boxing Day encounter with the Scarlets, during which he suffered his third concussion of the year.
Following his time out of the game, he was forced to make the call after it became clear he couldn't return to the sport. Since retiring, John has focused on his career as a personal trainer which you can read more about in this candid interview.
Adam Hughes
The former Dragons and Exeter centre was forced to retire from the game in 2018. Just two years later, the ex-Wales U20s player was going public with his harrowing brain damage diagnosis at the age of 30.
Hughes is the youngest to join the legal action taken by a group of nine former players against World Rugby, the RFU and WRU for alleged negligence. He has been diagnosed with brain injuries and post-concussion symptoms.
He's been warned that he's on a similar trajectory to the likes of Popham, Michael Lipman and Steve Thompson, all of whom have traumatic brain injury, early onset dementia and probable CTE. Hughes spoke in depth about his diagnosis and why he's joined the legal action back in 2020, which you can read here.
Robson Blake
Former Dragons flanker Robson Blake was forced to quit the game in 2018 at the age of just 23, having endured a six-month battle with concussion. He sustained the injury playing for the region in January of that year and, after failing to improve sufficiently, was told by doctors to hang up his boots for good.
Announcing his retirement at the time, Blake said: "Not the news I wanted to share, but following a long six months off with concussion I've been advised by medical professionals to retire from rugby. Thanks to Dragons for the opportunity to play professionally, and for their continued support. Thanks also to Bedlinog RFC and Bedwas RFC for all the happy memories of playing club rugby.
"And finally thank you to my amazing wife for putting up with me during the dark days. And so on to the next challenge...."
Matthew Pewtner
Forced to retire through concussion in 2016, former Dragons back Pewtner is now teaching and coaching out in Dubai - after starring on the TV show, Don't Tell the Bride. Speaking about his move, he said: "I just thought I needed to do something like that to get away from things for a few years and find my feet doing something different.
"I've thrown myself into that and hopefully I'll be able to recapture the excitement I got when I was playing. I'm always keeping my eyes open for things that will keep me motivated because if I stop and look back, it'll get me down.
"And with my injury, I think it affects me even more because my emotions are all over the place. So I try not to dwell on it too much and just look forward and set myself challenges in the future."
Ashley Smith
The former Dragons captain was forced to finish playing in 2015 following multiple concussions. The region's player of the year in 2010, who won Wales honours at age-grade level, admitted at the time he had no plans for life after rugby, saying: “Looking forward I am not sure what the future holds for me or even what I want to do, but I am planning on taking some time to reflect on my opportunities, wherever that may be."
However, he has since figured out what he wants to do - working in Sales for Estuary Oils, a family owned, fuels and lubricants distributor.
Jonathan Thomas
The twice Six Nations Grand Slam winner with Wales was forced to retire in September 2015, after being diagnosed with epilepsy thought to be linked with multiple head injuries sustained on the rugby field. The former Ospreys forward had won 67 caps for his country before hanging up his boots on medical advice at the age of 32 after spending two seasons with Worcester Warriors.
At the time, he told the Guardian : “I just think players need to be educated about the dangers of playing with head trauma. They take a bang to the head and think: ‘I’ll play on because I’ve two days off after the game.’ That’s doing serious damage.
“I’ve been guilty of staying on the pitch at all costs. It’s the gladiatorial mindset and it’s difficult to shake. I’ve always believed in playing hard and you have a laugh with your team-mates if someone in the squad is a bit soft. You give them a kick up the backside and say: ‘Come on, let’s go to war …’”
Rory Watts-Jones
The Cardiff flanker was forced to retire with immediate effect in 2015 at the age of 26 due to a bad head injury suffered the year before. At the time, he admitted he was "devastated" by the news.
Speaking about his life after rugby, he said: “How I will be later on in life I don’t know. I have also got to live with the fact that I might live to 90 and experience no mental illness at all.
“Will I be sitting there in my rocking chair thinking, ‘Damn I wish I had carried on’? I hope not but I don’t think I will because I have gone with the best advice available with my family and girlfriend’s backing.”
