EX-England rugby union international Dan Scarbrough, who currently coaches at Bradford Grammar School, has revealed he has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

Scarbrough, 43, was born in Bingley and played his junior rugby at Bradford Salem before having a 12 year professional career, revealed his diagnosis today as well as announcing he has joined a class action lawsuit against governing bodies the Rugby Football Union, Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby.

Following his career, in which he won two England caps, Scarbrough moved into coaching, including taking charge of the Latvian national team, and is currently head coach at Bradford Grammar School.

He was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury last December, and said while he "cherished" his career in rugby union, the "intensity" of the professional game, as well as its approach to player welfare, in particular around concussions, has taken its toll.

He said that as a child injuries were a "badge of honour" and when overcoming them on the field "the applause from pupils and parents on the sideline would reflect their appreciation for your strength of character and resilience".

He said the sport has taken "massive strides" on player welfare, with medical experts replacing the 'magic sponge' and more regulations coming in around safety in the game and strict protocols around concussion, with rules constantly being reviewed and updated to make the game as safe as possible for all.

"Sadly, this is too little, too late for me," he said.

"I was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury in December following 15 years playing rugby as a professional.

"While I’d enjoyed the rough and tumble of developmental grassroots sport as a junior player, I was met with a radically different experience at the professional level.

"The intensity of the profession, week in week out, gave no respite from injuries or enough time to recover from one season to the next.

"Add to that the extra pressure and physical demands of sessions and selection at an elite level for England teams over a seven-year period, and it begins to take its toll on your body.

"My playing career, all things considered, was incredible and I still cherish many memories of being part of the Six Nations squads and being an England elite squad member throughout preparations for the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

"Overtraining and overplaying was commonplace, but you continued, week after week, because it was your job. You didn’t want to let down your teammates or your club; you were driven to be the best version of yourself and strived for the honour of playing for your country.

"At that time in professional rugby, suitable safety measures and practices were not in place. The decision to play on through injury was often bestowed upon a player – the same player who had potentially been suffering from the effects of a head injury.

"Thankfully, this decision is now taken out of players’ hands from schoolboy level, right up to the professional and elite game.

"I’m joining a class action suit against the RFU, WRU and World Rugby, alongside a number of ex-professionals similar to myself.

"While life in elite level sport comes with a unique set of physical and psychological demands, and a higher risk of injury, the legal action has given me an opportunity to drive changes in the development of grassroots rugby, to ensure we create the safest sporting environment we can for our young players.

"Rugby, like any physical sport, comes with inherent risks. My son is now in Year 7 and enjoys many sports including rugby, just like his father.

"I would hate to see the sport that has shaped my life become so different that it’s unrecognisable. We need to ensure that positive safety changes in the sport are celebrated alongside new strategies, to preserve the DNA of the game.

"I truly believe in the phrase ‘better rugby players make better people’."

He added that Bradford Grammar has a team of medical experts at every game, and concussion rules are followed to the letter.

"While my personal circumstance is concerning, the condition itself is in the early stages, and I’ve received the full support from those who are closest to me in getting through what lies ahead.

"Early recognition, and subsequent action, has given me the best opportunity to trial new treatments to slow progression as much as possible.

"Having spoken to the Headmaster, Dr Simon Hinchliffe, I’m also incredibly thankful for his support and that of colleagues close to me who continue to support me in my role.

I will continue to enjoy my role as Specialist Coach and Master in charge of Rugby as before, using organisational strategies as and when needed."