Hundreds of players in rugby's multi-million-pound concussion legal battle can continue their claims after a High Court ruling on Friday. Lawyers for the governing bodies wanted cases involving 377 union players and 153 league players struck out. Senior Master Cook said that while he would have thrown out the claims, he decided "with some hesitation" they should proceed to trial, subject to "conditions" to be decided at a further hearing.

He cited "exceptional circumstances" and a "particular element of public importance going beyond the individual claims", saying the litigation "has the potential to greatly impact the way in which one of our national sports is conducted at amateur and professional levels". He acknowledged the delay and unnecessary expense caused but said this could be remedied through tight case management and costs.

In July, lawyer Richard Boardman, who had represented claimants through Rylands Garth, was replaced by KP Law. Cook said: "Had Mr Boardman remained the solicitor conducting this litigation, I could not have had any confidence that future court orders would be complied with." But he stressed the breaches were not caused by the players themselves. Former Wales international Alix Popham said claimants had not been properly kept abreast of deficiencies in their representation.

England World Cup winners Steve Thompson, Mark Regan and Phil Vickery are among the high-profile former players involved.