Case Analysis: EPCR v. Johnny Sexton & Leinster Rugby

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…

Worcester & Wasps: The Rugby Creditors Rule

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…

The Appeal: Spain v World Rugby

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…

Analysis: Spain’s Rugby World Cup 2023 Disqualification

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…

Leicester Tigers’ Salary Cap Investigation

On 15 March 2022, Premiership Rugby announced that it had concluded its investigation into alleged breaches of the Salary Cap Regulations (the “Regulations”) by Leicester Tigers (the “Club”) between 2016 and 2021. The investigation, first announced in December 2021, found…

Case Analysis: World Rugby v. Rassie Erasmus & SA Rugby

On 17 November 2021, the long-awaited decision in the World Rugby misconduct case against Springbok Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, and the South Africa Rugby Union (“SARU”) was published (the “Decision”). The case relates to the infamous 62-minute video (available…

The Moratorium on Premiership Relegation: A Legal Perspective

On Friday 12 February, the RFU Council approved a moratorium on relegation from rugby’s Premiership for the 2020-21 season. Citing the impact of COVID-19, the decision has been taken with the financial stability of the Premiership clubs in mind, with…

How Rugby Union is Responding to Covid-19: a Legal Update

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a plethora of legal and administrative hurdles for sport worldwide, and rugby union is no exception. Existing fault-lines have come sharply into focus, as tensions have been exacerbated between the game’s stakeholders and discontent has…

The Veilomani Report – World Rugby’s Governance Review

I am very pleased to have assisted Pacific Rugby Players Welfare ("PRPW") with the drafting of the Veilomani Report - its submissions to World Rugby's Governance Review. Veilomani is the Fijian term for loving one another and working together constructively.…