The household of Scotland worldwide Siobhan Cattigan are calling for an impartial inquiry into the circumstances that led to her demise.
The household say undetected rugby-related mind injury prompted a “catastrophic decline” within the 26-year-old’s well being and resulted in her demise in November.
They are saying she was not given the required help for mind accidents.
Scottish Rugby has been contacted for remark however mentioned not too long ago it wouldn’t help an exterior inquiry.
The union has mentioned that courtroom could also be “essentially the most applicable” place to find the details.
Nonetheless, the Cattigan household, who’ve launched authorized motion in opposition to Scottish Rugby and World Rugby, mentioned in a press release: “As a household grieving for our beloved Siobhan, we have now been shocked and distressed by the latest actions of the SRU.
“We can not perceive why the SRU are resisting an impartial inquiry into the circumstances main as much as Siobhan’s demise. We imagine that is the easiest way for the details to emerge.”
Their assertion added that the household really feel Scottish Rugby’s remedy of them has been “callous and uncaring” because the demise of Cattigan, who received 19 caps between 2018 and 2021.
“Nobody from the SRU has been in direct contact with us since February and the organisation is now taking lively steps to discredit our model of occasions,” they added.
At its annual assembly on 13 August, Scottish Rugby officers spoke of the “heartbreaking” story and “extraordinarily disturbing” account from the Cattigans, who had advised the Sunday Instances they seen a big and alarming change of their daughter’s character following mind accidents suffered whereas representing Scotland.
The governing physique mentioned it’s participating in an inside reality discovery course of and that there was a restrict to what it may say publicly, due to impending authorized motion from the household in opposition to the SRU,
Chairman John Jeffrey remarked that he was “snug with the actions of our individuals”, whereas including a hope that “in time, the total story will come out”.
Forward of Saturday’s recreation in opposition to United States in Edinburgh, Scotland’s ladies squad launched a press release saying how a lot Cattigan meant to them as a “form and loving team-mate” however burdened that they really feel supported by their father or mother physique’s medical workforce.
Head coach Bryan Easson thanked each the gamers and the Scottish Rugby hierarchy for his or her help throughout “a really troublesome time for everybody”.
Whereas burdened “my honest condolences are with Siobhan and her household”, Easson identified that: “These allegations have been very troublesome for all concerned on this squad – myself, the gamers, the administration, our households.”
He insisted that correct protocols had been adopted and, when requested concerning the allegation that Scottish Rugby had been “callous and uncaring” in the direction of Cattigan’s household, replied: “In my expertise, I do not recognise that.”
