Former Wales flanker Alix Popham has said jerseys and medals are the only reminders he has of playing in big matches in his career.

Popham was diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 40, and told Newsnight he believed this diagnosis was due to head injuries from his rugby career.

“My neurologist, when he diagnosed me, they worked out I had over 100,000 sub-concussive hits in my brain,” he said.

“I have vivid memories of the scoreline from big games but the weather, the stadium, I’ve got no recollection of that. I wish I knew then what I know now because when you were seeing stars you wouldn’t carry on. You would take yourself off. You would be honest to the coaches, the physios.”