James is latest player to reveal he has dementia
FORMER Wales international Dafydd James has become the latest ex-player to join the legal action against rugby’s governing bodies over brain injuries.
The 47-year-old, who won 48 caps for Wales, has revealed he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The former Scarlets, Pontypridd and Bridgend wing will now form part of the action against World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and the Rugby Football Union - with 260 rugby union players having now issued proceedings.
“In a way it probably highlights that I’ve got a little bit of an answer about why I feel the way I do,” said James.
“I suffer with my mental health, and in a way it’s quite cathartic to tell people because I am trying to help other people who are suffering, and there are plenty of people out there who are suffering.
“To the guys who are suffering, I think knowledge is key to understanding. I just think that knowledge is key and I think it’s important that people practice with care.
“Long may the game survive and thrive. I’m certainly not one of these people that wants to see the demise of the game. It’s given me so much pleasure.”
World Rugby, the RFU and WRU said, in a joint statement: “We care deeply about every member of the rugby family and have been saddened by the brave personal accounts of Dafydd and other former players who are struggling with health issues.
“Whilst legal claims prevent us from speaking to Dafydd directly, we would want him and his family to know that we care, we listen, and we never stand still when it comes to further cementing rugby as the most progressive sport on athlete welfare.
“Acting on the latest science, evidence and independent expert guidance, we constantly strive to safeguard and support all our players – future, current, and former.
“Rugby is a leader in the prevention, management and identification of head impacts, and World Rugby also proactively funds transformational research, embraces innovation and explores technology that can make the sport as accessible, inclusive and safe as possible for all participants.”
The vast majority of players have understandably not gone public with their diagnoses, but there has been a steady number of players talking openly about the battle they face.
One of the first was Alix Popham, with the former Wales No8 revealing his diagnosis in December 2020, when the pre-action phase against the three governing bodies was beginning.
Since then, he’s been vocal about improving the safety of the sport.
Former Bath and England backrow Michael Lipman was another of the first group to go public.
Last year, he said he wouldn’t have played rugby had he known he would suffer from early onset dementia and probable CTE during his retirement.
Towards the end of December 2020, one-time England U21 backrow Neil Spence was one of two players to go public with his diagnosis. The other was former Dragons centre Adam Hughes. Only 30 at the time, he was diagnosed with brain injuries and post-concussion symptoms, but was warned he was on the same trajectory as the others.
In March 2021, two-cap England international Dan Scarbrough publicly confirmed he had joined the lawsuit, saying he had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, early onset dementia and probable CTE.
In July 2021, former Wales international Lenny Woodard came forward with his own diagnosis. Woodward, who won caps for his country in both rugby union and league, revealed recently that he expects to need full-time care in the next decade.
In the same month, former England International Jason Hobson and retired Exeter Chiefs hooker Neil Clarke joined the action.
Then in November 2021, former All Black prop Carl Hayman joined the legal action.
Former Wales captain Ryan Jones came forward in July 2022 with his own diagnosis. Speaking at the time, Jones admitted his “world was falling apart”.
At the same time, 169 professional rugby union players issued proceedings against the three governing bodies.
Then in March, 54 amateur players issued proceedings.