Players' union chief Damian Hopley has vowed to fight to clear the name of "impeccable" former England hooker Phil Greening.

Greening, who earned 24 caps for his country before his retirement in 2005, was ordered to pay nearly £29,000 in damages to France winger Aurelien Rougerie after the latter sustained a throat injury following a hand-off in a pre-season friendly.

The incident came as Greening's Wasps side visited Clermont-Ferrand in 2002 and resulted in a civil court action against the hooker.

"We were stunned the decision went against Phil," said Hopley, chief executive of the Professional Rugby Players' Association.

"Throughout his distinguished career for Gloucester, Wasps and England, Phil's reputation as a good professional went before him.

"We have had assurances that Wasps will deal with this matter. Phil now wants to put this matter behind him and restore his impeccable reputation."

Hopley added: "We will be taking up this matter with both Premier Rugby and the RFU as it sets the most dangerous of precedents for our sport."

Rougerie, who played for France in this year's World Cup, initially sued for around £65,000 after undergoing three operations related to the injury and was awarded nearly half that sum yesterday.

But Greening insists Rougerie's injury came about as the result of a fair challenge.

Former England centre Hopley, who is now dealing with the case at Greening's request, told the Daily Mail: "This is very shocking for the game. It sets a very dangerous precedent in a full contact sport. Because of that there is a bound to be widespread concern at this ruling.

"Having seen a video of the incident, it was a very straightforward case of a hand-off. We called Phil as soon as we heard the news and that was the first he had heard of it (the ruling).

"He has asked us to look into it as a matter of urgency."

Wasps chief executive Tony Copsey added: "We do not know the full implications for the sport but this would appear to set a dangerous precedent.

"Phil is an employee of the club. It's all quite unfortunate and complicated."

Rougerie's lawyer, Jean Portejoie, said: "The court has given a very strong sign. As far as I am aware this is a first for this type of affair."

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