Number of rugby league players in concussion lawsuit confirmed as total passes 1,100

More than 500 former players have joined the concussion lawsuit with the number of rugby league players now confirmed.

Former players from both rugby league and rugby union are taking action against their respective governing bodies and the sport’s authorities to seek damages over negligence in preventing brain injuries.

In what has commonly become known as the concussion lawsuit, former players argue that the sport’s governing bodies failed to protect them from head trauma and serious brain injuries during their playing career.

Law firm Rylands Garth are taking the case and claim that over 1,100 former players are involved with 319 of those hailing from a rugby league playing career.

The lawsuit itself has grown in numbers with just 350 players across both codes involved back in March 2023.

Per the BBC, a Rylands Garth spokesperson said: “Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game.”

How rugby league is countering the concussion lawsuit

Rugby league has already been impacted by the concussion lawsuit whilst the sport has also taken several steps to try and protect the brain health of players.

Among those are mouthguards that register just how much movement the brain goes through in a game with players who don’t wear them unable to return to matches if they require head injury assessments.

Tackle height has also been lowered and there has been a much stricter disciplinary aspect in respect to contact with the head.

RFL CEO Tony Sutton previously labelled head injuries and the prevention of them as the “top three challenges, if not the top one” in the sport of rugby league.

It was revealed in March that almost two-thirds (64%) of claimants involved in the lawsuit against the rugby league governing bodies showed symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) with 108 out of 168 players showing symptoms.

CTE cannot officially be diagnosed until after death but documents were put to the RFL and BARLA (British Amateur Rugby League Association), with the RFL responding by confirming their previous statement in regard to player welfare.

That read: “The RFL takes player safety and welfare extremely seriously, and it has been desperately sad to hear of any players’ difficulties.

“Rugby League is a contact sport and, while there is an element of risk to playing any sport, player welfare is always of paramount importance.

“As a result of scientific knowledge, the sport of Rugby League continues to improve and develop its approach to concussion, head injury assessment, education, management and prevention across the whole game.

“We will continue to use medical evidence and research to reinforce and enhance our approach.

“Support to former professional players is always available from Rugby League’s charity partner RL Cares.”