A Sports Law Rugby Blog
1. Introduction Since 2012, the Rugby Football Union (“RFU”) has operated a policy under which players playing for clubs outside of England cannot be selected to play for the England national team, save in exceptional circumstances (the “Policy”). It is…
Head contact in rugby union has come under heightened scrutiny in recent years, owing to increased concern about brain injuries in the sport. However, this “zero tolerance” approach has not been without controversy. January 2017 saw the start of World…
The highly anticipated decision in EPCR’s misconduct case against Ireland captain, Johnny Sexton was published this week, with the player handed a three-match ban. His club, Leinster Rugby, were also given a €7,500 fine, albeit suspended until the end of…
Joe Marler’s two-week ban for verbally abusing Bristol Bears’ Jake Heenan in late December 2022 caused no shortage of controversy. Public opinion is split between those who found the ban too harsh, and those who thought it was too short.…
1. Introduction Following a dark two months, in which Premiership Rugby has lost two clubs to insolvency events, there may now be some light at the end of the tunnel. Both Worcester Warriors and Wasps have announced that takeover deals…
Following the winding up of WRFC Players Limited on 5 October 2022, the RFU announced that Worcester Warriors (“Worcester”, the “Club”) would be suspended from the remainder of the 2022/23 Premiership Rugby season, and would then be relegated to the…
A Spanish version of this article has been published on the website, 'A Palos'. Una versión española de este artículo se ha publicado en el sitio web, 'A Palos'. 1. Introduction Despite the hopes of Spanish players and fans, an independent World…
1. Introduction Spain have been disqualified from the Rugby World Cup for the second time consecutively after a World Rugby Judicial Committee (the “Panel”) found that they had fielded an ineligible player during qualifying…again. The country’s hopes for France 2023…
On Friday 25 March 2022, Gloucester Rugby (“Gloucester”) was scheduled to host Worcester Warriors (“Worcester”) in the Gallagher Premiership (the “Match”). However, the Match was cancelled that afternoon because Worcester was unable to field six fit and able front row…
As of 1 January 2022, important changes were made to World Rugby’s disciplinary regulations (Regulation 17), in relation to the sanctioning of acts of foul play. This article will focus on two of those changes, which are of particular significance…
