Former All Black Geoff Old has been in contact with British-based lawyers about his post-playing medical condition.

A lawsuit is being prepared in the UK involving up to 70 players suffering varying cognitive issues they believe relate to their careers.

They're concerned cognitive issues -- ranging from post-concussion syndrome to suspected CTE -- have been caused by concussions suffered playing the game.

Old's wife Irene Gottlieb told Heather du Plessis Allan he suffers all day headaches and mood swings.

"He has sensitivity to light and needs care on a day-to-day basis with simple tasks [such as] decision making."

She says they have been "fighting the good fight" for 15 years to help retired players and look at the health problems, and there needs to be accountability. 

The action's being readied by lawyers in the UK and will likely target several national rugby bodies within that jurisdiction.

Sources indicate it'll argue rugby authorities have known about, and subsequently underplayed, the risks associated with repetitive head injuries for decades.

• Former All Blacks doctor on the legal battle over rugby head knocks