Will Green, a former England rugby player, has made shocking claims that he was told to lie about having early-onset dementia and felt pressured to join a lawsuit against rugby authorities.
Played for England Before 2003 World Cup
Green, a former prop who earned four caps for England, played his final match in a World Cup warm-up in 2003. This was just weeks before Sir Clive Woodward’s side lifted the Webb Ellis Cup as champions.
Brain Scan and Legal Pressure
According to The Telegraph, Green accepted an offer for a brain scan from Rylands Garth, the legal firm leading a case against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, and the Welsh Rugby Union on behalf of players suffering from brain injuries. The firm also represents stars like Gavin Henson and 2003 World Cup winners Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery, and Mark Regan.
However, after Green refused to sign up for the litigation, the company took him to court, suing him for thousands of pounds in legal and medical fees.
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“An Enormous Amount of Stress”
Green said he underwent an MRI and neurological examination in February 2022 but didn’t receive any diagnosis for nine months, during which time he experienced “an enormous amount of stress, anxiety and sleepless nights worrying about whether or not I had brain damage.”
A Shocking Diagnosis
During a Zoom meeting with neurologist Dr. Steven Allder, Green was told: “It looks like you have the signs of early-onset dementia.” Green described the moment as sending his “world into an absolute spiral.” Despite requesting reports to back up this diagnosis, he claimed they were never provided. Meanwhile, Rylands allegedly continued to press him to join the lawsuit.
Second Opinion Clears Green
Seeking a second opinion from a Harley Street specialist, Green underwent further testing, which showed no sign of brain injury. After declining to join the lawsuit, Green was hit with bills for the legal and medical costs and was ultimately sued.
“Pressured to Commit Fraud”
In court, Green said: “They still pressed me to sign up for the group action, sending multiple emails pressuring me to sign up. To do so would have perpetrated a fraud on the court.” He also accused Rylands of pushing him into a diagnosis that was later proven incorrect, adding: “I just think they (Rylands Garth) have behaved appallingly and I would go as far to say that I am not the only person involved in this.”
Rylands Responds
In a statement sent to Express Sport, Rylands Garth responded, defending their actions: “We represent around 900 claimants who have suffered brain injury playing the sports they adored. None have been asked to pay anything for their testing…
‘This was a straightforward small debt claim, which was handled by a third-party law firm. We use highly sophisticated testing, which experts consider the best in the world, rather than the less sophisticated testing used by the NHS.
“Mr Green’s tests were undertaken by two highly experienced neuro-specialists, but he disagreed with the results and decided to leave the action. We asked him to pay for some of those costs, in line with the letter of engagement. We do understand these cases are highly emotive and wish Mr Green all the best.”
