Lawyers representing more than 185 former rugby union players have begun legal proceedings against the sport's governing bodies over brain damage suffered by their clients. Many of the people involved are household names, like English World Cup winner Steve Thompson and Welsh international Alix Popham.

One man also in the legal papers, but less well known, is former Bristol, Leeds and Stade Francais prop Justin Wring. He can still remember helping the French side to a last-minute title win in 2000. The story of how his life has unravelled since then is no less dramatic, however.

Stade Francais were 28-23 up in front of more than 80,000 fans in Paris in a winner-takes all contest, but Justin Wring's side faced disaster in the final minute.

Camped on their own line with opponents Colomiers flooding forward, Stade were penalised and a scrum given against them. A man down, they faced being shoved backwards or stretched until Colomiers scored the try that would give them victory.