Grand Slam-winning rugby captain Ryan Jones has joined a legal action against rugby’s governing bodies after being diagnosed with early onset dementia.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, the 41-year-old former Wales and British Lions forward said he felt like his “world was falling apart.” “I feel like my world is falling apart. And I am really scared. Because I’ve got three children and three step-children and I want to be a fantastic dad,” he said. “I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I’m not. I don’t know what the future holds.”
Messages of support have been sent to Jones after he shared his diagnosis. Jones won 75 caps for Wales in a decade, between 2004 and 2014, and also played in three Tests for the British and Irish Lions.
Asked if some parents may reconsider whether they want their children to play the game, Ms. Antoniazzi said that the way the game is played and the safety of the game should be looked at and that a lot of research is being done about sports injuries.
Messages of support came in from politicians, charities, and members of the sporting world. Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East, tweeted: “You will always be our superhero. Wales loves you xxx.” Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), tweeted he was sorry to hear Jones’ news, adding that Ryan is a good guy with a fabulous career in sport.
