Seventy-five rugby players hit by brain injuries are launching a legal action against the sport’s rulers.
Wales internationals Lenny Woodard and Michael Edwards are believed to be among them, along with league legend Bobbie Goulding and fellow England Test man Francis Maloney.
They are the 13-a-side code’s first players to sue over brain injuries.
A group of more than 185 rugby union players are taking legal action against the authorities in their sport, alleging negligence and claiming that playing the game caused brain damage.
Read more: Ryan Jones suing the WRU and World Rugby after devastating dementia diagnosis
It is reported that 53 main allegations will be listed by the rugby league group’s lawyer in a formal “letter of claim” on Monday. Those involved claim the Rugby Football League failed to protect them. Potentially, the case could run into tens of millions of pounds.
Goulding, diagnosed last year with dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy, says in The Mirror : “We are crying out for help. It’s the biggest pandemic that’s going to hit the sport and it’s happening now. But Rugby League has washed its hands of us.”
Earlier this year Woodard spoke in heart-rending terms about his battle with early onset dementia, recalling how his young son had burst into tears on hearing about his condition.
“I was telling my partner I need to do as many things with the kids now as possible because, in 15 years, I might not know who they are.
“My little boy Leo heard that and burst into tears, ran into the room and hugged me. How do you deal with that? There is no blueprint for how to explain dementia to an eight-year-old and what is going to happen to his dad.”
The former wing toured Zimbabwe and South Africa with Wales in 1998 and also won five caps for his country in rugby league. Along the way, Woodard became a cult hero, playing for more than 30 clubs over his career.
But he believes rugby caused his dementia.
He was diagnosed with the condition after his memory and ability to multi-task deteriorated. It was reported in the summer he was part of the union group taking action against the sport's governing bodies.
A prolific try scorer in his prime who once crossed for seven touchdowns in a single game, Woodard had his first concussion at the age of 11.
He said he avoids looking too far ahead. “My brain isn’t what it was,” he said. “I try not to think about the future.”
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