Rugby

Former Wales rugby international Dafydd James reveals early onset dementia diagnosis

James (47) says that he has also been diagnosed with likely CTE

Daffyd James scores a try for Wales against Italy during the 2002 Six Nations. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Tue Apr 4 2023 - 10:51

A group of ex-sportsmen and women taking legal action in the UK claiming they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to 380, with former Wales rugby union international Dafydd James among the latest to reveal he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

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

According to legal firm Rylands Garth, which has issued proceedings, a total of 380 sportsmen and women are now part of the group, with the latest additions featuring 100 rugby league players, 40 rugby union and 15 footballers.

Three former Irish players, including two former internationals, have separately lodged legal proceedings against the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and World Rugby for damages over concussion. Munster’s David Corkery, who played with Ireland in the 1990s, Declan Fitzpatrick from Ulster, who appeared for Ireland seven times, and Leinster’s Ben Marshall, who played for Leinster and Connacht and retired at 26-years-old, are seeking damages for injuries they claim they suffered while playing the game.

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James, 47, told the BBC that he had also been diagnosed with likely CTE.

“In a way it probably highlights that I’ve got a little bit of an answer about why I feel the way I do,” said James, who has had mental health issues.

“I suffer with my mental health, and in a way it’s quite cathartic to tell people because I am trying to help other people who are suffering, and there are plenty of people out there who are suffering.

“To the guys who are suffering, I think knowledge is key to understanding. I just think that knowledge is key and I think it’s important that people practice with care.

“Long may the game survive and thrive. I’m certainly not one of these people that wants to see the demise of the game. It’s given me so much pleasure.”

World Rugby, the RFU and WRU said, in a joint statement: “We care deeply about every member of the rugby family and have been saddened by the brave personal accounts of Dafydd and other former players who are struggling with health issues.

“Whilst legal claims prevent us from speaking to Dafydd directly, we would want him and his family to know that we care, we listen, and we never stand still when it comes to further cementing rugby as the most progressive sport on athlete welfare.

“Acting on the latest science, evidence and independent expert guidance, we constantly strive to safeguard and support all our players – future, current, and former.

“Rugby is a leader in the prevention, management and identification of head impacts, and World Rugby also proactively funds transformational research, embraces innovation and explores technology that can make the sport as accessible, inclusive and safe as possible for all participants.”

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