60 new claimants added to legal action against rugby governing bodies

England's Steve Thompson scores a try against Ireland during the 2011 Six Nations. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Sixty new claimants have been added to the legal action being taken against three of rugby union's governing bodies for the brain injuries they allege were sustained during their careers.

The law firm making a legal claim against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has now served proceedings on behalf of 328 players from the sport.

It is alleged that the governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect players from permanent injury - including motor neurone disease and early onset dementia - caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows.

England 2003 World Cup winners Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery and Mark Regan are among those named in the proceedings.