Clermont told they are responsible for Jamie Cudmore's concussion related issues

The two-time French champions are the first club to be accused of such actions.

Clermont Auvergne were “responsible” for the harm former player Jamie Cudmore suffered after sustaining a concussion, a neurologist has told a court.

Cudmore’s firm Portejoie have also said that the retired rugby pro’s former club is trying to disparage his claims.

‘ASM behaved in an irresponsible way in relation to Mr. Cudmore. They haven’t stopped in their defence with the advice from Professor Chazal which has been made public by club president Mr. Eric de Cromieres to try and discredit the legitimacy of Mr. Cudmore’s procedure by going as far as denying the existence of the concussions’, the firm said.

Clermont’s lawyer has denied any liability in the case. ‘No responsibility of the club’s doctor can be looked for because an expert has clearly recognised a lack of a link in blame between the error committed by the club’s doctor and the small damage suffered by Mr Cudmore’.

Clermont’s lawyer denied any liability.

“No responsibility of the club’s doctor can be looked for because an expert has clearly recognised a lack of a link in blame between the error committed by the club’s doctor and the small damage suffered by Mr. Cudmore,” the club’s lawyer said.

The former Canada international began the original case in 2017 accusing Clermont of playing with his health after they forced him to stay on the field two weeks earlier after also suffering a head injury during the preceding semi-final in Saint-Etienne.

World Rugby and the French Rugby Federation have scheduled a forum on injury prevention in Paris on 19 March.