A detailed review of disciplinary proceedings at Rugby World Cup 2019 (Part 1)

The following article was co-authored by Kevin Carpenter and I, and published by LawInSport. It has been in the pipeline for some time, but we hope that it provides a comprehensive analysis of the disciplinary decisions of Rugby World Cup…

Coronavirus & Rugby: Promotion and Relegation

The Coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented crisis for sports administrators. My first article on the legal implications of the pandemic in rugby considered the wage cuts being imposed on players in the English Premiership and the question of whether…

Reforming the Salary Cap

Premiership Rugby has ordered an independent review of its Salary Cap Regulations (the “Regulations”). The review is being conducted by Lord Paul Myners, the former Financial Services Secretary who served under Gordon Brown’s Government. The “comprehensive review” aims to strengthen…

Saracens and the Salary Cap – Part II: Grounds for Review?

This is the second part of a series of articles on Saracens’ breaches of the Premiership Rugby Salary Cap Regulations. Part I, which explained the breaches and the applicable Regulations can be found here. Part III shall follow in due…

Could Premiership clubs bring legal claims against Saracens?

Could the other Gallagher Premiership clubs bring legal claims of their own against Saracens? Saracens have declared their intent to seek a review of the salary cap decision that resulted in a 35-point deduction and £5. www.telegraph.co.uk A brief article…

Lovotti & Quaglio: World Cup Disciplinary Review

With so many disciplinary incidents taking place during this Rugby World Cup, it is hard to keep up. Rather than try to cover them all, I am trying to focus on the most significant during the tournament and will then…

Francis & Quill: World Cup Disciplinary Review

The disciplinary sanctions for foul play have been coming thick and fast at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. After Hodge, Lee-Lo and Matu’u were handed three-week bans for dangerous tackles (previously analysed here), it was hoped that players might take…

The Gabrillagues Ban: Grounds for Appeal?

On Tuesday 20 August, World Rugby announced that France second-row Paul Gabrillagues (the “Player”) had been handed a six-week suspension for foul play in the France vs Scotland match on Saturday 17 August. The player appeared before an independent World…

“Kicked to the Curb”: Players and Clubs unhappy over Yorkshire Carnegie decision

The financial troubles of Yorkshire Carnegie are now well-known. The Championship side announced in April 2019 that it was to go part-time in order to save costs after its principal investor pulled out, but it was revealed in June that…

The Dismissal of Israel Folau: An English Legal Perspective

When Israel Folau made his now-infamously homophobic social media posts, few could have expected that we would end up here. Indeed, few expected Rugby Australia to do more than hand him a fine and perhaps a suspension. Yet, here we…