The man spearheading a multimillion-pound lawsuit on behalf of hundreds of rugby players suffering from brain injuries is currently under scrutiny by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This follows allegations from a former England international who claimed he was pressured to lie about having dementia in a court submission. In a recent case, questions have been raised about how Richard Boardman recruits players for the lawsuit initiated by his firm, Rylands Garth, against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, and the Welsh Rugby Union. The former Wasps prop, Will Green, was sued for legal and medical costs after declining to join the group action. Despite an independent brain scan contradicting a diagnosis of early-onset dementia obtained by Rylands Garth, the firm pursued Green for an alleged breach of contract. Green expressed feeling 'pretty abused' and stated that joining the lawsuit 'would have perpetrated a fraud.'
The Rugby Players’ Association has supported Green, who earned four England caps, for speaking out and encouraged other players in similar situations to reach out. Green told the court, 'I just think they have behaved appallingly and I would go as far to say that I am not the only person involved in this.' The players’ union issued a statement expressing sadness over reported cases of early-onset dementia among former professional players and commended Green for bringing the issue to light. They encouraged current or former elite players with concerns about their brain health to contact the RPA confidentially.
Meanwhile, the SRA is evaluating its next steps after Green accused Boardman of multiple breaches of its code of conduct. Green had been experiencing migraines and accepted a scan offer from Rylands Garth on a 'no win, no fee' basis. He was informed via a Zoom call by Dr. Steven Allder that he had early-onset dementia, but no supporting documents were provided. After over a year of 'stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights,' Green sought a second opinion from a Harley Street specialist, who found no sign of brain damage. Despite reporting this to Rylands Garth, the firm continued to pressure him into joining the case. Green was subsequently billed around £5,500 for tests that he claimed cost only £1,600 at the clinic he visited. Tests are offered free by the RFU, Premiership Rugby, and the RPA. A judge dismissed Rylands Garth's claim.
Rylands Garth represents 295 former professional and amateur players, including World Cup winners Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery, and Mark Regan. A spokesperson for Rylands Garth stated, 'We welcome the SRA looking into this matter. We have provided detailed paperwork to all players who have approached us about undertaking advanced tests and scans when concerned about their health. In several hundred cases, the players were given the all-clear, so did not join the proceedings nor did they pay anything for the testing.'
