French rugby players will be sued by former players for concussions

Former players, including England WorldCup champion Steve Thompson @Tommo33s and All-Black Carl Hayman, are planning to sue the national rugby governing bodies in France over concussions, their attorneys revealed on Wednesday.

The National Rugby League and the French Rugby Federation are charged with violating concussion safety and disclosure responsibilities in the case.

It is the first of its kind in France and is the result of litigation in other countries.

In 2010, Thompson, the hooker for England’s 2003 World Cup victory, joined Brive. He is one of around 200 former athletes who have already filed legal complaints against other regulatory bodies, including WorldRugby.