French star seeks compensation

France international Aurelien Rougerie has started legal proceedings after suffering a serious injury in a tackle with Wasps hooker Phil Greening.

Rougerie is seeking compensation after sustaining a throat injury, which required two operations, in a challenge with Greening during a pre-season friendly between Montferrand and Wasps in August.

The French winger has not played since and only resumed training this week.

His lawyer, Jean-Paul Brousse, has started proceedings which will initially establish the extent of the injuries prior to a compensation claim.

He told the Daily Mail: “At this stage all I am asking the court is to authorise a medical examination of the player to establish the exact state of his injuries, incapacity and pain.

“The court will then produce a report. On that basis we will calculate the sum involved and press for compensation from Wasps. There is a price for the pain, a price for the scar on Aurelien’s neck and a price for the lost earnings.

“If we reach an agreement an agreement for compensation with Wasps, fine. If not, we will go back to court.”

Rougerie himself claimed: “This sort of thing must not go unpunished.”

But Wasps chief executive Alistair McLean described the injury as “regrettable” and insisted “there was clearly no intent on Phil’s behalf”.