Dodson rules out SRU inquiry into Cattigan death

SRU chief executive Mark Dodson has ruled out holding an independent inquiry into the death of Scotland international Siobhan Cattigan after her family launched legal action against the governing body.

Dodson revealed that they had been officially told by their own lawyers that the Cattigan

family had launched a civil action against them following the death of the 26-year-old rugby player.

It is understood the court case will centre round an alleged failure in duty of care of the back-row forward, who died last November — seven months after picking up a head knock during a Scotland game.

Cattigan’s parents believe that their daughter’s death was caused by an undetected brain injury which led to her succumbing to irrational thoughts and impulsive action.

Former SRU chairman Ken Scobie had called for a external probe into the Cattigan affair because of the seriousness of the issue but that was rejected by Dodson and SRU chairman John Jeffrey.

‘We’ve been sent impending notice of an action against us, which is normal in this kind of area,’ said Dodson. ‘It alleges certain things around Siobhan’s care. This may end up in court proceedings and this may be the most appropriate place for this.

‘That is why I am trying to establish the facts. There are records we need to examine and have a look at. Before I establish the facts I can’t determine things and maybe the courts is where the information actually emerges.’

SRU chairman John Jeffrey said the SRU council had not recommended holding an independent review into the Cattigan case with Dodson making clear that course of action was not being considered.

Dodson, when asked if there was at least an internal investigation into the case underway, replied: ‘I didn’t say that. It is not a review. It will try and establish the facts. That is what we are trying to do. Facts and timeline.’

The SRU chief executive went on to give full backing to Scotland women’s head coach Bryan Easson, who was alleged to have told medics treating Cattigan after she picked up a head knock against Wales last April to ‘get her ******* back on the pitch, get her back on.’ The family said in an article published in the Sunday Times a fortnight ago that Siobhan had told them on several occasions he had said that. Easson, who was not available to comment yesterday, has previously denied the accusation in a statement issued by the SRU.

Dodson said despite the seriousness of the allegations, Easson would not be suspended and will continue to lead Scotland women up until the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.

‘I have confidence in Bryan Easson as a coach,’ he said.

‘As far as any allegations are made against Bryan we will look into those and establish facts as time goes past. Bryan is leading the team to the World Cup finals and have two international matches to concentrate on in the near future.’

Dodson, when asked about Easson’s alleged comments to get her back on the pitch, said to have been heard by Cattigan through a medic’s earpiece that had come loose, replied: ‘I don’t know if he did or he didn’t. As far as we are concerned we are trying to establish facts around the whole process.

‘He’ll be asked about it but he won’t be able to talk about it because there will be no difference in the complexities around this issue. We are entirely comfortable and he’s got our complete support taking this team to the World Cup finals.’

Dodson stated neither himself or anybody from the SRU had been in contact with the Cattigan family since they went public with their story two weeks ago.

‘We reached out to the Cattigan family directly after the incident happened in various ways and we never heard anything from the Cattigan family then. Then they asked for their privacy to be respected, so we are doing that. What we are doing in the interim period is to establish the facts.’