Rugby authorities 'not learning' from head injuries - former Wales flanker

Unless the rugby authorities seize the problem of traumatic head injuries "by the scruff of the neck" parents will not allow their children to play the sport, former Wales flanker Alix Popham told AFP.

Popham, who won 33 caps between 2003 and 2008 and played in two World Cups, was diagnosed two years ago with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the age of just 40.

He says the rugby authorities are "not learning" from the ongoing experience of players and studies linking rugby to brain injury.

CTE is a progressive brain condition that is thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head and episodes of concussion.

Popham is one of a group of former rugby internationals, including ex-England hooker Steve Thompson, who are pursuing legal action against World Rugby, England's Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Popham, 43, and 2003 World Cup winner Thompson are also amongst a group who last week announced their intention to file a lawsuit against the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the National Rugby League (LNR) for breaching safety and information obligations on concussion.

Popham - who played for Brive from 2008-11 - told AFP by phone from his home in Wales he expects over 500 present and former players to be party to the law suit - it stood at 15 last week.

"A lot of players in Pro2 (second division) and lower leagues were on pay-as-you-play contracts not retainers," he said.

"They would play through injuries and traumatic head injuries.

"Also there were so many overseas players who played in France and still play in France so the number of plaintiffs is going to grow drastically."

Popham says numbers will also grow in terms of those suffering long-term brain damage unless stronger measures are brought in.