They played for their country in their 20s. By their 40s, they had early onset dementia after playing this physical sport

Alix Popham and Lenny Woodard realized something was very wrong after they retired. Now, these ex-rugby stars are trying to warn others about a danger in the sport.

By the time Alix Popham had reached his late 30s, he was finding some day-to-day tasks confusing and difficult. Popham’s wife, Mel, would have a conversation with her husband and an hour later he would have “no recollection,” he tells CNN Sport. “I was putting it down to kids, everyday living – I was making excuses,” says Popham, now a 44-year-old father of three and business owner. Then in September 2019, Popham went on a bike ride, got lost and blacked out. A former professional rugby union player, Popham started playing the sport at the early age of four and it quickly became his life. “By the age of six, seven, I realized, and people realized, that I was pretty good at it,” Popham, who played for top clubs in France, Wales and England and represented his home country, Wales, at two Rugby World Cups.