Rugby on Trial

Hundreds of former rugby players are lining up to say head injuries have destroyed their lives. The players are accusing the sport’s governing bodies of failing to look after their welfare after the sport went professional. Many of them have been left suffering from long term brain conditions such as dementia, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s.

In this programme, Joe Crowley investigates whether enough has been done to protect players from the devastating impacts of concussions and repeated knocks to the head and whether parents can be sure their children will be safe playing rugby at school.
As a group legal case gathers momentum, the rugby authorities tell us they will defend the allegations vigorously and explain how they have taken steps to improve player welfare in the modern era, using the best available science.