World Rugby Values

Rugby’s values always have been: the pleasure of participating; the courage and skill which the Game demands; the love of a team sport that enriches the lives of all involved; and the lifelong friendships forged through a shared interest in the Game.

It is because of, not despite, Rugby’s intensely physical and athletic characteristics that such great camaraderie exists before and after matches. The long-standing tradition of players from competing teams enjoying each other’s company away from the pitch and in a social context remains at the very core of the Game.

Rugby has fully embraced the professional era, but has retained the ethos and traditions of the recreational Game. In an age in which many traditional sporting qualities are being diluted or even challenged, Rugby is rightly proud of its ability to retain high standards of sportsmanship, ethical behaviour and fair play.

Rugby Union has a code of conduct (the Charter - see below) on how players, officials, club administrators and spectators are expected to behave. Because of the physical confrontation which exists in the Game, this code of conduct has evolved over many years to ensure that whatever physicality takes place on the field of play remains there.

It is of paramount importance that the ethos of the game is maintained by teaching young people coming into the game the values which have made the sport unique.

Therefore, it is advisable that those involved in coaching the game should operate within a code of conduct which should be agreed and signed up to by those concerned.