Alix Popham, a former Wales rugby international, has renewed his criticism of rugby’s handling of brain injury concerns as legal proceedings involving more than 500 former players continue to progress slowly. Six years after first publicly disclosing his struggles with neurodegenerative conditions, including early onset dementia, Popham expressed frustration at the lack of significant change in player safety and the prolonged legal battle.

In 2020, Popham joined England’s 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson in revealing their diagnoses, which prompted a group of retired players to launch legal action against rugby’s governing bodies, including World Rugby, England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). The claimants allege that their health issues stem from repeated head impacts sustained during their playing careers.

Last month, the High Court reinstated the legal action, which had nearly collapsed after some claimants were previously removed from the case for failing to provide required neurological evidence. The case, now under new legal representation from KP Law, must satisfy the court in November that it can meet documentary disclosure requirements to continue.

Popham, 46, described the ongoing delays as deeply frustrating. “We’re six years down the line and we aren’t any further ahead,” he said, emphasizing that the case has yet to reach substantive arguments on brain injury liability. He also highlighted the human cost, citing the deaths by suicide of former players Shane Christie and Billy Guyton in New Zealand, and noting that many ex-players live in precarious conditions, including homelessness.

Despite the assertion by World Rugby, RFU, and WRU that they have acted responsibly and deny liability, Popham argued that safety measures remain inadequate. He noted that while guidelines limiting players’ game participation and training contact have been introduced, these are often ignored by high-profile players such as Maro Itoje, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Slade, which he characterized as for public relations rather than genuine protection.

Popham stressed that the claimants are determined to see the case through to court, warning against early settlement unless it results in meaningful safety reforms. He referenced a similar concussion lawsuit in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States, which concluded in a settlement without the governing body accepting responsibility or implementing substantial changes.

“I want changes made that would make rugby as safe as it can be,” Popham said. “I’m not trying to ruin rugby. Rugby is ruining itself. The game as it is, is not safe.”

He also revealed his personal decision to prevent his youngest child from playing even non-contact variants of the sport, reflecting his evolving perspective over the past six years. This development underscores the tension between the game’s cultural significance and growing awareness of its long-term health consequences for players.