High Court allows 500+ ex-players' brain-injury lawsuits to proceed

London's High Court ruled on August 21, 2026 that neurological-injury lawsuits from more than 500 former rugby union and league players can continue, rejecting governing bodies' bid to have them thrown out. The bodies argued claimants' former lawyers failed to disclose key medical evidence. Judge Jeremy Cook held the players blameless, allowing cases to proceed pending document production.