World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union should settle their upcoming class action with a number of former players suffering from brain damage out of court, according to a leading lawyer.
Close on 200 ex-players, including former Wales internationals Ryan Jones and Alix Popham, have issued legal proceedings against the game's governing bodies this week over alleged negligence leading to their diagnoses of early onset dementia, probable CTE and other permanent injuries as the result of brain damage. This latest step paves the way for what is the biggest class action of its kind outside of the US to head to court.
However, Jonathan Compton, partner at DMH Stallard, believes that the sport's governing bodies should not allow that to happen, citing the fact that while they could well win in court, the optics of what he describes as a "pyrrhic victory" would not be worth it. He added that, in a relatively unique case such as this where the claimant and defendant each have a similar interest in improving the viability of the game long-term, there is an added flexibility in settling matters out of, rather than in, the courtoom.
