JEFF PROBYN
A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME
IMUST admit to being a little surprised by last week’s paper where the articles by Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher both wrote about the class action that is currently being brought against World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU.
It’s been suggested by some that Rylands Garth Solicitors have been attempting to encourage former players to join their action even if they don’t appear to have any medical reasons to do so.
Will Green, below, was a former Wasps and England player who both the Judge and I used to help coach in some of the ‘Dark Arts’ of front row play when he was moving up through the various age groups at the club.
Will was a good young player so it was no surprise to me that he made inter national level before calling an end to his playing career. It seems that various players, including Will, have been invited to take a free brain scan by Rylands Garth with the results analyzed by a neurologist employed by them.
This resulted in Will being told after nine months that his scan had the signs of Early Onset Dementia so naturally, given the timescale involved, he asked for a copy of the scan to obtain a second opinion to confirm the original diagnosis but it seems he was never given one. Will then decided to get a second opinion and went to a Harley Street specialist, had another scan and just ten days later he was given the news that he didn’t show any signs of E.O.D.
Admittedly, neurology is a specialist area of medical diagnosis and different specialists may give different opinions which to me explains the need for a second opinion.
We can only imagine the emotional pressures that Will and his family have had to deal with over the past couple of years.
Firstly, to be told he had signs of E.O.D. and then because he dared seek a second opinion, being sent an inflated bill for his medical test despite being offered the test as a no win no fee basis.
Personally, I would have thought that Rylands Garth would have been happy that Will had got a second opinion and that it showed he was clear, unless they think this now throws a doubt over the diagnosis given to other members of the action and potentially could under mine the whole action.
“A review should be taken by all players who have been tested only once”
In fact it would make sense for World Rugby to offer a free second opinion, perhaps using the Harley Street specialist, to all members of the action to clarify which players have actual signs of E.O.D.
If World Rugby were to fund a free second scan and diagnosis and some other players like Will Green are found to be clear, the relief for them and their families would be immeasurable and it would allow World Rugby and all associated Unions to focus efforts on those who are suffering from this terrible condition.
Whatever happens, Will should be reimbursed for all his expenses having had to face both what could be a wrong diagnosis and a legal action, plus the costs of defending himself for daring to get a second opinion. I have written before that there are many things that could affect this action, from injury outside the game to playing when advised to stop, which makes it imperative that a review of any diagnosis, whether positive or all clear, is taken by all who have been tested only once.
