Are these rugby players for real

Rugby players are going to court over brain damage ,it's a high contact sport where the head has always taken a lot of impact surely they must of been aware of the risks, American football players wear helmets and we have always joked saying that they are soft for wearing all that gear

the outcome of any court case could have a huge affect on other sports football/boxing/ rugby league etc..it might happen that schools/ football /rugby teams, might be sued for any injury caused by playing...so in the future kids might not play any form of contact sport

the outcome of any court case could have a huge affect on other sports football/boxing/ rugby league etc..it might happen that schools/ football /rugby teams, might be sued for any injury caused by playing...so in the future kids might not play any form of contact sport

Theres been calls for years to ban contact sports in schools.... if they win this case it will be end of school sports as it will open floodgates to sue schools if little Jonny breaks leg ect! Yes can gave parents fign wavers but can still be challenged if parents so wishes for theses players jumping on bandwagon of football players but as far as aware they are not suing anyone yet!! They just want something done to prevent further damage

The issue especially in professional rugby The players are employees and the employers have a duty of care to employees If you worked on a building site you would expect employers to make sure you have hard hats and ear defenders etc and the site be safe to work Just because it is a sport does not mea the duty of care issues don’t exist
I can see some big claims coming to the courts in near future It is more difficult when you are just playing for fun and out of choice

The issue especially in professional rugby The players are employees and the employers have a duty of care to employees If you worked on a building site you would expect employers to make sure you have hard hats and ear defenders etc and the site be safe to work Just because it is a sport does not mea the duty of care issues don’t exist
I can see some big claims coming to the courts in near future It is more difficult when you are just playing for fun and out of choice

What's the duty of care for clubs
Provide crash helmets? Players had choice didn't see them complaining when was playing..... its the blame and compensation culture that is driving this particular group ... like said footballers just seeking action on preventing it happening again like concussion subs just announced ! Another 30 have joined group since hearing about the action..

It’s all about “MONEY”

The issue especially in professional rugby The players are employees and the employers have a duty of care to employees If you worked on a building site you would expect employers to make sure you have hard hats and ear defenders etc and the site be safe to work Just because it is a sport does not mea the duty of care issues don’t exist
I can see some big claims coming to the courts in near future It is more difficult when you are just playing for fun and out of choice

What's the duty of care for clubs
Provide crash helmets? Players had choice didn't see them complaining when was playing..... its the blame and compensation culture that is driving this particular group ... like said footballers just seeking action on preventing it happening again like concussion subs just announced ! Another 30 have joined group since hearing about the action..

Well the regular testing of the players medically for one which i can tell you has been lacking As i said every employer has a duty of care to its employees and just because this is a sport does not exempt it ( thou i think injuries will happen no matter what the employer does ) Football is going the same way with its dementia campaign

The issue especially in professional rugby The players are employees and the employers have a duty of care to employees If you worked on a building site you would expect employers to make sure you have hard hats and ear defenders etc and the site be safe to work Just because it is a sport does not mea the duty of care issues don’t exist
I can see some big claims coming to the courts in near future It is more difficult when you are just playing for fun and out of choice

What's the duty of care for clubs
Provide crash helmets? Players had choice didn't see them complaining when was playing..... its the blame and compensation culture that is driving this particular group ... like said footballers just seeking action on preventing it happening again like concussion subs just announced ! Another 30 have joined group since hearing about the action..

Well the regular testing of the players medically for one which i can tell you has been lacking As i said every employer has a duty of care to its employees and just because this is a sport does not exempt it ( thou i think injuries will happen no matter what the employer does ) Football is going the same way with its dementia campaign

Yes the testing as been lacking in sports this is what footballers want! Problem is where do you draw line at responsibility? Yes clubs have duty of care but does that extend to on the playing surface as well? Something which is out of their control..... must have sympathy for ex players but blaming clubs after taking the money seems a bit rich really, all players knew risks next thing have the hookers suing because of cauliflower ears? Ffs got people wanting compensation because of things that happened 200yrs ago that had nothing to do with present land owner just because he inherited it...

Rugby players are going to court over brain damage ,it's a high contact sport where the head has always taken a lot of impact surely they must of been aware of the risks, American football players wear helmets and we have always joked saying that they are soft for wearing all that gear

Is this your attempt to be Billy Big Bollocks.These head injuries affect all contact sports no less football.You can bet the Charlton brothers never considered this before embarking on their careers.It also effect non league footballers too so no stella contracts to support them.This comes down to employers liability and making the workplace as safe as possible.Its no difference to ex-miners getting compo for COPD or other forms of respiratory diseases.

It's obvious you've don't little or no research into this so you ought to keep your gob shut until you know what your talking about.

oh and the american football stars have won millions in compo.

Rugby players are going to court over brain damage ,it's a high contact sport where the head has always taken a lot of impact surely they must of been aware of the risks, American football players wear helmets and we have always joked saying that they are soft for wearing all that gear

Is this your attempt to be Billy Big Bollocks.These head injuries affect all contact sports no less football.You can bet the Charlton brothers never considered this before embarking on their careers.It also effect non league footballers too so no stella contracts to support them.This comes down to employers liability and making the workplace as safe as possible.Its no difference to ex-miners getting compo for COPD or other forms of respiratory diseases.

It's obvious you've don't little or no research into this so you ought to keep your gob shut until you know what your talking about.

oh and the american football stars have won millions in compo.

Very well put

But you should be happy Ion has started a thread that isn’t about politics. I mean, it’s still not the right sport or team but we’re one step closer to a Cardiff City thread

Not convinced they will win however if they do I don’t see rugby surviving another 20 years.

On that I can’t see boxing lasting much longer either. Literally a sport where people punch each other in the head.

It’s all about “MONEY”

Sit down & watch the movie Concussion with Will Smith or just google CTE & concussion, maybe then you won't be so flippant, or maybe you're just antagonistic.

Awful. The American football guy that killed himself by shooting himself in the CHEST so doctors could examine his brain.

FWIW I used to be more of a rugby player and actually had a few games with at least one of the players.

I am VERY saddened for them and their families. I think dementia is an evil disease and to get it when you are so young is even worse.

Some observations.

1. Rugby today is not the rugby I grew up with nor is it the game THEY grew up with. It used to be more of an attritional arm wrestle whereas now it is a game of collisions. It has been made that way deliberately as firstly they deemed rucking with feet unaesthetic. I can speak first hand that being rucked was not pleasant. But it did incentivise you to move. There was never head contact. Always to the body and it was effective. Now it is SMASH. Could be hit anywhere really.

I personally preferred the game with rucking.
You can probably count on one hand how many significant rule changes have happened in football over the last 20 years. You need an A4 ledger to keep tabs on rugby.

2. The game went open when these guys were mid to late teens. What that means is these chaps are the first full time pros that were always pros. They were the pioneers of training techniques, diet, supplements etc etc. The pros that were before them started as amateurs that held down jobs, training twice a week and playing on a saturday. These guys went hard with coaches that were also previously amateur using amateur approaches. Hence the heavy contact and constant scrummaging drills. Fine if its once or twice a week for an hour or 2. Not so good if its 5 times a weeks for a full days session.

3. They say it is contact in training that did the damage. I would be interested to see how rugby league compares to union. Both very different games and league doesnt scrummage in the way union does nor does it allow for pile ups. One ball carrier, 2 tacklers. One ball height one waist. Stop them bring them down and re align.

4. I feel it is harsh to go after the unions. Yes they played international rugby. But what about their clubs? The places they trained at daily and played for weekly.

Alix Popham Played 33 times for Wales.

But he played 269 times for his clubs, 118 of those games were outside Wales. International rugby constituted just under 11% of all his games played at international level.

Thats not to mention all the contact he would have taken before becoming professional, as a junior and child.

Steve Thompson played 258 club games of rugby and 76 international games.

So international rugby consituted less than a quarter of all the games he played. Furthermore in 2007 he retired due to a spinal injury, only to pay his insurance money back and retake the field in 2010 when ha played for a further 12 months.

Rugby has a lot of issues. Speaking as a fan, football has gained me as someone who religiously watched rugby. I havent been to a rugby match since we got relegated from the premier league the first time.

Many of its changes have caused the impacts and collisions we see which are so dangerous. I think the game was far better 20 years ago.Those changes came from the IRB not the unions.

That said, their understanding of concussion is VASTLY improved. Players are strictly monitored now and its not uncommon for players to sit out for literally months. HAlfpenny, tipuric, JOhnny Sexton and George North. They are and have been adapting their training to minimise contact.
ANy head contact is punished in games, so much so I frequently see comments about the game has gone soft. It is a full contact game, players accept the risk or dont play. I think it is wrong to retrospectively sue unions for international players issues when they played more time for clubs. They should probably be asking their insurance companies.

They should replace the Six Nations with a new ‘ Its A Knockout’ competition.. much more fun and less fat birds in town being sick on their shoes ..

It’s all about “MONEY”

Sit down & watch the movie Concussion with Will Smith or just google CTE & concussion, maybe then you won't be so flippant, or maybe you're just antagonistic.

I’m neither actually.

Lets put you straight on some things.

They are adults they knew the dangers of playing rugby. As professionals they were very well paid and at no time did they question what they were doing.

If they didn’t understand the dangers then they were also foolish but that didn’t stop them crashing into people to get the ball.

I feel sorry for all of them but not to appreciate the dangers was their choice. So now they want compensation for playing a game that no one forced them to do!!!! Money Money Money.

If that’s the way it’s going Boxing and Rugby should be the first two banned from sport.

It’s all about “MONEY”

Sit down & watch the movie Concussion with Will Smith or just google CTE & concussion, maybe then you won't be so flippant, or maybe you're just antagonistic.

I’m neither actually.

Lets put you straight on some things.

They are adults they knew the dangers of playing rugby. As professionals they were very well paid and at no time did they question what they were doing.

If they didn’t understand the dangers then they were also foolish but that didn’t stop them crashing into people to get the ball.

I feel sorry for all of them but not to appreciate the dangers was their choice. So now they want compensation for playing a game that no one forced them to do!!!! Money Money Money.

If that’s the way it’s going Boxing and Rugby should be the first two banned from sport.

Let's be nice & say you were being flippant then with the Money comment, at least that was the way it came across.

While we now know the dangers we don't know for a fact that they did when they were young and neither did their parents as not much was known about CTE & concussion in sport outside of the medical arena until a few years ago. To say that they knew all of the dangers of playing rugby or appreciated them was probably down to a lack of knowledge rather being their choice to ignore them. In my view the question is did anyone know for certain the long term effects including the players, clubs, leagues etc. and I doubt that they did.

Boxing is very probably the first 'sport' that will be banned and after that who knows.

Rugby gave me a lot. Lasting Friendships, fitness, a social life. Weekends away and a trip of a lifetime.
But I wouldn’t let my child play now. Not knowing what I know and seeing what the game has become.

Nowadays we have lots of their sports that can give much of what rugby gives. Even within rugby, touch rugby is growing and a wonderful game with plenty of social advantages. You don’t need to be smashed about by 20 stone monsters running at you faster than some of city’s wingers can go chasing back.

It’s all about “MONEY”

Sit down & watch the movie Concussion with Will Smith or just google CTE & concussion, maybe then you won't be so flippant, or maybe you're just antagonistic.

I’m neither actually.

Lets put you straight on some things.

They are adults they knew the dangers of playing rugby. As professionals they were very well paid and at no time did they question what they were doing.

If they didn’t understand the dangers then they were also foolish but that didn’t stop them crashing into people to get the ball.

I feel sorry for all of them but not to appreciate the dangers was their choice. So now they want compensation for playing a game that no one forced them to do!!!! Money Money Money.

If that’s the way it’s going Boxing and Rugby should be the first two banned from sport.

Let's be nice & say you were being flippant then with the Money comment, at least that was the way it came across.

While we now know the dangers we don't know for a fact that they did when they were young and neither did their parents as not much was known about CTE & concussion in sport outside of the medical arena until a few years ago. To say that they knew all of the dangers of playing rugby or appreciated them was probably down to a lack of knowledge rather being their choice to ignore them. In my view the question is did anyone know for certain the long term effects including the players, clubs, leagues etc. and I doubt that they did.

Boxing is very probably the first 'sport' that will be banned and after that who knows.

Just being straight to the point which is also the truth.

They made their choice no one forced or pushed them into playing Rugby.

Take a look at Matt Dawson’s comments on the situation it’s on BBC Rugby sections. Sums up the whole thing in my eyes even though it’s sad that people will now suffer

please don’t ban rugby don’t need the gimps infecting football with their drinking of piss and shoving stuff up their arse as shit banter

Duty of Care has been mentioned a few time, but for an employer to be able to mitigate against the risk, then dont they have to know that the risk of long term damage exists in the first place.
I cant see the players winning the case as theyll have to prove their employers knew of the risks, but as a test case it will have repercussions for the game.
As for helmets and NFL doednt wearing a helmet just make the players think they're safe and just go in harder?

the outcome of any court case could have a huge affect on other sports football/boxing/ rugby league etc..it might happen that schools/ football /rugby teams, might be sued for any injury caused by playing...so in the future kids might not play any form of contact sport

Theres been calls for years to ban contact sports in schools.... if they win this case it will be end of school sports as it will open floodgates to sue schools if little Jonny breaks leg ect! Yes can gave parents fign wavers but can still be challenged if parents so wishes for theses players jumping on bandwagon of football players but as far as aware they are not suing anyone yet!! They just want something done to prevent further damage

Al, I'm pretty sure schools have already banned contact rugby in Wales. Or maybe just the junior schools? I definitely read something about it

Duty of Care has been mentioned a few time, but for an employer to be able to mitigate against the risk, then dont they have to know that the risk of long term damage exists in the first place.
I cant see the players winning the case as theyll have to prove their employers knew of the risks, but as a test case it will have repercussions for the game.
As for helmets and NFL doednt wearing a helmet just make the players think they're safe and just go in harder?

Think it would be hard for an employer in rugby terms to say they did not know bangs to the head would not be a risk Most of the players campaigning played in the last 20 years and let’s face it they would have known For football and heading the ball i have more sympathy as we use to head the ball for fun as kids and never felt a thing ( heavy leather balls were starting to go out of fashion when is was a kid ) Contact sport is going to face a tough time in courts and who knows where it will end once the lawyers get involved

Duty of Care has been mentioned a few time, but for an employer to be able to mitigate against the risk, then dont they have to know that the risk of long term damage exists in the first place.
I cant see the players winning the case as theyll have to prove their employers knew of the risks, but as a test case it will have repercussions for the game.
As for helmets and NFL doednt wearing a helmet just make the players think they're safe and just go in harder?

Think it would be hard for an employer in rugby terms to say they did not know bangs to the head would not be a risk Most of the players campaigning played in the last 20 years and let’s face it they would have known For football and heading the ball i have more sympathy as we use to head the ball for fun as kids and never felt a thing ( heavy leather balls were starting to go out of fashion when is was a kid ) Contact sport is going to face a tough time in courts and who knows where it will end once the lawyers get involved

this..knowing bangs to the head being a risk.. does it extend to players themselves ,parents , local clubs and schools...
i dont get it.. its a physical game and everyone knew there were risks but still people play the game.. mostly for enjoyment and not money...

Duty of Care has been mentioned a few time, but for an employer to be able to mitigate against the risk, then dont they have to know that the risk of long term damage exists in the first place.
I cant see the players winning the case as theyll have to prove their employers knew of the risks, but as a test case it will have repercussions for the game.
As for helmets and NFL doednt wearing a helmet just make the players think they're safe and just go in harder?

Think it would be hard for an employer in rugby terms to say they did not know bangs to the head would not be a risk Most of the players campaigning played in the last 20 years and let’s face it they would have known For football and heading the ball i have more sympathy as we use to head the ball for fun as kids and never felt a thing ( heavy leather balls were starting to go out of fashion when is was a kid ) Contact sport is going to face a tough time in courts and who knows where it will end once the lawyers get involved

this..knowing bangs to the head being a risk.. does it extend to players themselves ,parents , local clubs and schools...
i dont get it.. its a physical game and everyone knew there were risks but still people play the game.. mostly for enjoyment and not money...

I agree with nearly all you say The issue is when you become an employee and the care an employer has and professional players are employees and just because they are sportsmen does not mean the duty of care issue does not exist Many jobs you know there are risks Like building trade , farming , transport etc but you would expect your employer puts in all the checks and test to make sure that it is as safe as it can be You will not stop the knock on heads that why some wear scrum caps but Players could have regular brain scans and medical checks and not just let’s see how many fingers i am holding up and a quick look in the eyes

Crazy situation I know but i am all sure everyone one of us expect our employer to make sure our workplace is safe

Duty of Care has been mentioned a few time, but for an employer to be able to mitigate against the risk, then dont they have to know that the risk of long term damage exists in the first place.
I cant see the players winning the case as theyll have to prove their employers knew of the risks, but as a test case it will have repercussions for the game.
As for helmets and NFL doednt wearing a helmet just make the players think they're safe and just go in harder?

Think it would be hard for an employer in rugby terms to say they did not know bangs to the head would not be a risk Most of the players campaigning played in the last 20 years and let’s face it they would have known For football and heading the ball i have more sympathy as we use to head the ball for fun as kids and never felt a thing ( heavy leather balls were starting to go out of fashion when is was a kid ) Contact sport is going to face a tough time in courts and who knows where it will end once the lawyers get involved

this..knowing bangs to the head being a risk.. does it extend to players themselves ,parents , local clubs and schools...
i dont get it.. its a physical game and everyone knew there were risks but still people play the game.. mostly for enjoyment and not money...

I agree with nearly all you say The issue is when you become an employee and the care an employer has and professional players are employees and just because they are sportsmen does not mean the duty of care issue does not exist Many jobs you know there are risks Like building trade , farming , transport etc but you would expect your employer puts in all the checks and test to make sure that it is as safe as it can be You will not stop the knock on heads that why some wear scrum caps but Players could have regular brain scans and medical checks and not just let’s see how many fingers i am holding up and a quick look in the eyes

Crazy situation I know but i am all sure everyone one of us expect our employer to make sure our workplace is safe

i suppose... just seems odd , you play rugby, love rugby and aspire to be as good as you can be taking hits all the way.. become a top amature and if thats as far as your path takes you all those hits are on you..but if you go a step further the knocks, including all the previous knocks are at the door of your employer...going to be interesting..

We are told rugby players are a different breed they never moan, hey are hard and it’s a proper sport. They all knew it’s a high risk game Christ alive it’s bloody dangerous and the risks of injury or career ending injury is sky high. Bit late for them to moan now.
Like footballers when it comes to heading the ball. Bit let’s be fair not like the olden days when the footballs were like rocks.
If they are successful then it would have a great impact on sport. Schools will stop playing sport or it will be no contact and it will be touch only tackling.

Duty of Care has been mentioned a few time, but for an employer to be able to mitigate against the risk, then dont they have to know that the risk of long term damage exists in the first place.
I cant see the players winning the case as theyll have to prove their employers knew of the risks, but as a test case it will have repercussions for the game.
As for helmets and NFL doednt wearing a helmet just make the players think they're safe and just go in harder?

Think it would be hard for an employer in rugby terms to say they did not know bangs to the head would not be a risk Most of the players campaigning played in the last 20 years and let’s face it they would have known For football and heading the ball i have more sympathy as we use to head the ball for fun as kids and never felt a thing ( heavy leather balls were starting to go out of fashion when is was a kid ) Contact sport is going to face a tough time in courts and who knows where it will end once the lawyers get involved

this..knowing bangs to the head being a risk.. does it extend to players themselves ,parents , local clubs and schools...
i dont get it.. its a physical game and everyone knew there were risks but still people play the game.. mostly for enjoyment and not money...

I agree with nearly all you say The issue is when you become an employee and the care an employer has and professional players are employees and just because they are sportsmen does not mean the duty of care issue does not exist Many jobs you know there are risks Like building trade , farming , transport etc but you would expect your employer puts in all the checks and test to make sure that it is as safe as it can be You will not stop the knock on heads that why some wear scrum caps but Players could have regular brain scans and medical checks and not just let’s see how many fingers i am holding up and a quick look in the eyes

Crazy situation I know but i am all sure everyone one of us expect our employer to make sure our workplace is safe

One way only one way to attempt to prevent head injury crash helmets? But apparently that's not enough because NFL sued for similar thing and they use headgear? Love to know how a rugby club or authority can prevent head injuries in rugby? Can see football banning heading in years ahead as thats only way can prevent it happening outside being head butted by opponent ....