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Latest News
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Player welfare
Tuesday 13 July, 2021
4 min read

An open letter by Sir Bill Beaumont: Striving to be the most progressive sport for player welfare

An open letter to the global rugby family by World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont setting out the sport's unwavering commitment to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare.
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This coming January will mark 40 years since I retired from the game. Just weeks after what would be my final international match against Scotland, I was advised by our team doctor that I should call time on my career following a concussion in a (victorious) County Championship Final for Lancashire to protect my long-term health. The game today is unrecognisable from what it was 40 years ago. As a father of players, a grandparent and a fan, I welcome the progress the game has made. However, the need for rugby to continue to adapt and evolve is as important now as it has ever been.

Since I retired, rugby has made great advances to safeguard the wellbeing of our players, always acting on the science and robust evidence. Rugby has been at the forefront of sport in bringing in new protocols like the Head Injury Assessment, Graduated Return to Play and the Activate warm-up injury prevention programme to identify, manage and prevent head impacts and concussions at the elite and community level. Over recent months, World Rugby has launched the biggest ever study into concussion risk at men’s and women’s community and age-grade levels of the game, partnering with the University of Otago and New Zealand Rugby. We’re investing in new technologies and law trials to improve player welfare. But we cannot and must not stand still.

As Chairman of World Rugby, I get to see the incredible benefits rugby brings players across the globe throughout their lives. It helps build confidence and understanding of what it’s like to commit to and work for a team. It brings enormous benefits for physical and mental wellbeing. And it brings us close friendships and a community in the rugby family for life. These benefits can only grow in importance following the global pandemic.

Like all sports, rugby is not a game that is risk-free. But it is a sport that cares deeply for and prioritises its players, in particular around concussion and head injury. We do that so that parents can feel safe and want their children to play.

Today, in line with our new strategic plan, World Rugby announces the next phase of our player welfare strategy to protect and grow the game we all love. Underpinning this strategy is a personal commitment from myself to never stand still when addressing questions of player welfare. Our ambition is for rugby to be the most progressive sport in the world on player welfare. We will do that by delivering against a six-point action plan.

First, support for former players – some of whom have come forward recently with their struggles adapting to life after professional rugby. I and my colleagues at World Rugby have been engaging and listening. Working with our member unions and International Rugby Players (IRP), we want to ensure no former player or their family members need suffer or worry in silence if they have concerns.

Second, we will continue to invest in advanced science into player welfare at all levels of the game, and the impacts of head injuries in particular.  We are doubling our investment into player welfare, including working with a wide range of scientific institutions to continue to research and advance our understanding of the impact of head injury. This will also mean embracing innovations such as eye tracking technology and smart mouthguards to monitor head impacts in real time.

Third, we will continue to review and update the laws of the game to put player welfare first.  From 1 August, we will trial a number of changes at a global level, including the 50:22 rule which has been trialled to good effect in domestic pilot trials with the ambition of creating more space across the pitch and reducing defensive line speed, thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of contact. 

Fourth, we will commit to a dedicated approach to the women’s game – the biggest single opportunity we have to grow the playing of rugby. Our approach will be led by data and science and will not simply follow what works for the men’s game, with the ambition of supercharging the sport for women at all levels.

Fifth, we will redouble our efforts in education in the community and professional game on head injuries and health, from dedicated apps and websites with the latest information and resources on brain health and rugby, to the preventative Tackle Ready and Activate programmes.

Last, but not least, we will continue to listen and engage with the rugby family – and we will act on what we hear. We have had productive conversations with current and former players, and groups like Progressive Rugby. We all have the same love for the game at heart, and we want to hear from everyone about the best ways to secure its future. To ensure the legitimacy and growth of our game now and in future, we will never stop listening.

This is a plan for the game by the game, born of consultation, engagement and partnership with our unions. Over the coming months, Alan Gilpin, our newly-appointed Chief Executive, and I will be making a series of announcements in partnership with our unions shaped by the feedback we receive.

Finally, today, we are announcing a major funding package to support a programme of Independent Concussion Consultants for the elite game, who will support team doctors in assessing the suitability of a player’s return to play following a concussion once they have progressed through the six-stage Graduated Return to Play. These independent experts will be able to decide when elite players are fit to return to play and will support an individualised care process for players.

In my career, I’ve been a player, a coach, an administrator, a tour manager, a proud parent and a fan. My goal is for parents across the world to look at rugby and see a game that they want their sons and daughters to play, because of the many benefits it brings. That is the focus of this strategy. And the conversation will not stop here.

Sir Bill Beaumont is the Chairman of World Rugby, and a former British and Irish Lions and England captain

Trending News Show all
HSBC Canada Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Marcos Moneta on his rapid rise and historic sevens season for Argentina

The Los Pumas Sevens speedster has had a year to remember by scooping up individual and team accolades, and he tells World Rugby about the journey so far and how football influenced his playing style.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 26 May, 2022
3 min read
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3 min read

Rugby sevens

London welcomes the stars of rugby sevens

A huge crowd will welcome all 16 core teams for the penultimate round of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series at Twickenham Stadium on 28-29 May with all to play for in the race for the 2022 Series title

Rugby sevens

Wed 25 May, 2022
3 min read
Alex Davis England Sevens
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – London

England sevens skipper Davis: “Let’s embrace and enjoy playing at home”

Ahead of this weekend’s action in Twickenham, captain Alex Davis reveals what it’s like to step out in front of a home crowd in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – London

Tue 24 May, 2022
3 min read
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7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Fiji and New Zealand the winners after a brilliant HSBC France Sevens

Ireland reach their first ever men’s final as the women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series comes to an end for 2022 with Australia worthy winners following an outstanding season. Argentina hold a two-point lead over South Africa in the men's Series standings

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sun 22 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
8 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Big names fall on dramatic day of upsets at HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse

Argentina and Australia were knocked out in the men’s quarter-finals, while Series leaders South Africa and heavyweights New Zealand failed to even make the knockout stages. Australia and New Zealand’s women impressed, while Fiji reached the final four in both events.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sat 21 May, 2022
8 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
6 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series favourites suffer shock defeats on opening day in Toulouse as women’s champions Australia continue fine form

South Africa, Australia and Argentina were all beaten on the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens men’s event, while New Zealand and Australia caught the eye with some big wins in the women’s competition

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Fri 20 May, 2022
6 min read
Rikki Swannell becomes first females to commentate on men's series
5 min read

Feature

Behind the microphone: Groundbreaker Rikki Swannell

World Rugby talks to the New Zealander about becoming the first female lead commentator on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and her life in sports broadcasting.

Feature

Fri 20 May, 2022
5 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
Serevi Coaching Roadshow - HSBC Event
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji are in Toulouse to win: “There is still room for improvement,” says Gollings

Gold and silver medals in their last two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series outings have Fiji feeling good ahead of French tournament

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 19 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022
4 min read

Rugby Sevens

Captains ready for lift off at HSBC France Sevens

Toulouse welcomes a full line-up of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams for the first time in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 20-22 May

Rugby Sevens

Wed 18 May, 2022
4 min read
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