England Rugby Legend Calls for Government Action on Concussion Crisis
Published: April 17, 2024 | Updated: April 17, 2024
Steve Thompson, the iconic former England hooker and 2003 Rugby World Cup champion, has issued a scathing rebuke of rugby administrators, accusing them of “flogging players until they fall apart.” The ex-Northampton stalwart, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2020, is now at the forefront of a growing legal battle against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
In a heartfelt interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Thompson warned that the sport’s current trajectory is unsustainable, questioning whether “rugby ever [can] be a safe sport to play.” The 73-cap England international emphasized that the threat of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological diseases stemming from repeated head impacts extends beyond match day, with training regimes also contributing to the problem.
“They’re just flogging the players until they literally fall apart,” Thompson lamented, dismissing the governing bodies’ claims of prioritizing player welfare as mere “lip service.” The former World Cup winner, who can no longer recall his triumph in Sydney 21 years ago, nor the names of his wife and children, called on the government to heed its promises and address the sport’s concussion crisis.
Thompson’s concerns echo the legal action being taken by 328 ex-players, including his former England teammates Phil Vickery and Mark Regan, as well as Welsh legends Gavin Henson, Lenny Woodard, and Ryan Jones. The claimants argue that the governing bodies failed in their duty of care, neglecting to implement reasonable measures to protect the players’ health and safety.
With the impending launch of a new World Club Cup in 2028, Thompson warned that the already congested rugby calendar will be stretched to its breaking point, further jeopardizing the well-being of today’s stars. “Players are going to be playing all year round, they are going to be training all year round and that’s where it [the damage] happens,” he said.
As the legal battle intensifies and the voices of concerned players grow louder, the future of rugby union hangs in the balance. Thompson’s impassioned plea for government intervention underscores the urgency of addressing the sport’s concussion crisis and safeguarding the health of both current and former players.
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