Comprising the National Professional Rugby Player Associations from South Africa, England, Wales, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, France and New Zealand, IRPA also welcomed representation from Argentina for the first time through their National Sevens Captain, Santiago Gomez Cora.

The quarterly conferences provide the opportunity for National Player Associations to share initiatives, ideas and experiences relating to the welfare of their professional player members and to discuss and address international issues of importance to the professional players and the game. 

IRPA Chairman Damian Hopley commented that IRPA had made significant progress over the past 18 months.

IRPA Chairman and English Players’ Association CEO Damian Hopley said: “Concluding a Memorandum of Understanding with the IRB that will see both parties work closely together to address issues of importance to professional players and the game was certainly a significant milestone in 2007.”

He added: “Our formalized relationship with the IRB allows us to continue to progress safety, welfare and educational initiatives on behalf of the world’s professional players, regardless of nationality.

“It also provides us with the opportunity to have a meaningful, positive and proactive input into the ongoing development of the game.”

IRPA CEO and head of the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association Rob Nichol commented: “We are now focused on working with the IRB to deliver meaningful forums where professional player related issues such as Anti-Doping Education, freedom of Player Movement, Social Responsibility, Agent Accreditation, new markets and developing competitions, and the new Experimental Law Variations can be addressed.”

A key discussion point of the Conference has been the significant growth of player development programs within a number of the IRPA member countries.

“IRPA recognizes the crucial role these programs are now playing in supporting professional players to develop the skills, qualifications and networks that improve their on field performance whilst also helping with their post rugby career opportunities,” said Nichol.

“For rugby as a sport to be taking a proactive role in supporting and developing its professional players off the field is something IRPA will be focused on delivering in the future”.

President of the South African Rugby Player Association and Springbok Prop Eddie Andrews said it was great to be able to host the IRPA members.

“As players, we don’t always see the value of the work that goes on behind the scenes by our respective Associations and IRPA. It is very encouraging to see the progress being made at both domestic and international levels on player welfare issues. This work has a significant impact on all professional players, regardless of whether we need direct assistance or not.”