By PETER JACKSON

WORLD Rugby’s claim that early dementia can be caused by smoking, drinking and other lifestyle choices has been condemned as ‘insulting’ to those players suffering from brain damage.
England World Cup winner Steve Thompson, former Test flanker Michael Lipman, All Black prop Carl Hayman and Wales back row forward Alix Popham are among 150 ex-professionals suing World Rugby, the RFU and WRU over repeated head blows which they allege has left them with brain conditions.
Lipman, who has been diagnosed with mild dementia and probable CTE, the degenerative brain disease chr...