Leyland rugby player Josh Jones diagnosed with CTE aged 31

Jones, from Leyland, who played for St Helens, Salford Red Devils, Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants during an 11-year career, made the announcement on X.

In a tweet, he said: “My friends and family, after a challenging few months I wanted to share that I have been diagnosed with stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

“The news has come as a shock for me and my family and has brought significant changes to my life and the lives of those closest to me.

“My family and I appreciate your support through this difficult period.”

The second-rower, who earned three caps for Great Britain in 2019, had to retire from the sport in 2023 after being sidelined for much of the season with concussion-related issues.

Josh Jones, from Leyland, began his career with St Helens

As a junior, he played for Leyland Warriors and Chorley Panthers before moving to Blackbrook Royals in St Helens, from whom he was signed by St Helens.

He debuted in 2012 and in 2014 was part of the Saints’ Super League Grand Final winning team.

He then switched codes to rugby union with Exeter Chiefs, but played just three games before returning to rugby league with Salford, for whom he made more than 100 appearances and appeared in the Grand Final in 2019, when the Red Devils were defeated by St Helens.

He then spent a season at Hull FC before joining Huddersfield in 2021, playing 51 times – including a loss in the 2022 Challenge Cup final, before concussion ended his career.

Post-rugby, he has been working as a mortgage advisor.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head.

Symptoms can include behavioural problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking, and the disease often gets worse over time and can result in dementia.

Most documented cases of CTE have involved athletes in combat sports or contact sports such as rugby (league and union), American football, and to a lesser extent in football.