Former England rugby<\/a> captain Phil Vickery<\/a> has pledged to donate his brain for research into the damage caused by head injuries<\/a> having been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).<\/p>\n Vickery, part of the side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup<\/a>, was given a probable diagnosis two years ago, though CTE \u2013 believed to be caused by repeated brain injuries<\/a> \u2013 can only be confirmed after death.<\/p>\n The 50-year-old is part of the concussion<\/a> lawsuit involving more than 1,000 players that accuses World Rugby<\/a>, England\u2019s Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Welsh Rugby Union and the Rugby Football League of failing in their duty of care to protect those involved in the game.<\/a><\/p>\n Vickery, who toured twice with the British and Irish Lions and won 73 caps for England, has admitted he has considered taking his own life but wants to ensure his brain can be used to further research into neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that gonna make someone stand up?\u201d Vickery said in an interview with The Observer. <\/a>\u201cI don\u2019t know. What a horrible thing to say. But what does it have to take?<\/p>\n \u201cWith the knowledge that we have now, it makes you wanna cry. Because it\u2019s f****** awful. Brain injuries are with you all the time, 24\/7, 365 days a year, and it weighs heavy, and it grinds at you all the time. It won\u2019t beat me. You know, I keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n Vickery retired in 2010 having captained England at the 2007 World Cup four years on from starting the final win over Australia.<\/p>\n![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/206911.jpg\")
Phil Vickery toured twice with the British and Irish Lions (PA)<\/p>\n
![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/106283533...jpeg\")
Phil Vickery retired in 2010 (Getty)<\/p>\n