Former Rugby Players in Wales Battle Dementia, Lack Help

0:00On March 5th, former amateur rugby players in Wales are speaking out about early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy from repeated head injuries saying they have little medical or financial help available. Ross Coombs, a 43-year-old ex-soldier and police officer, Captain Army and club teams in South Wales. He started playing at age 9 and endured countless concussions, fractures and bleeds, often told to keep going with just a wet sponge or quick fix. Now facing memory loss, depression and suicidal thoughts, Ross cannot recall his son's birth. His brother, a former Wales international, has the same diagnoses, leaving their family uncertain about the future. Player struggle with rejected insurance claims, early pension access and unaware doctors as seen in Ross's denied policy payout despite brain scans. Hundreds, including pros like Ryan Jones, are suing rugby governing bodies, experts urge

1:01better awareness and training for general practitioners, while the Welsh government points to existing memory services aware of head, trauma risks. Rugby organizations say they keep working to protect players past and present, but former amateurs feel overlooked.