Ex-Wales winger James reveals dementia fight as legal case grows

Former Wales rugby union international Dafydd James has revealed he has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia as a legal case of ex-sportsmen and women claiming they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to 380.

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James, who won 48 Wales caps and toured Australia with the 2001 British & Irish Lions, is among a group of former players to join a lawsuit against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

The latest additions to the group of sports people seeking damages include 100 rugby league players, 40 from rugby union and 15 footballers according to legal firm Rylands Garth, which has issued proceedings.

The claimants allege that governing bodies of the sports were negligent in failing to take reasonable action to protect players from permanent injury caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows.

James, 47, said he was first aware of an issue when he began forgetting his children's names.

"I suffer with my mental health," James told the BBC.

"In a way it's quite cathartic to tell people because for me I am trying to help other people who are suffering and there are plenty of people out there who are suffering.

"If my message can help anybody else that's all I care about at the moment... is to help other people understand."

Ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa footballer Colin Gibson and former rugby league star Nick Fozzard have also publicly revealed their struggles with early-onset dementia.

England World Cup winner Steve Thompson, former Wales captain Ryan Jones and ex-New Zealand prop Carl Hayman are among other rugby union players to have previously outlined their struggles.

"Claimants contend that