Summary

Everybody involved in organising and playing Rugby has a duty of care in relation to the players. The Rugby Ready programme is intended to raise awareness of good practice and help stakeholders manage the inherent risks of a contact sport by putting appropriate safeguards in place.

Now you’re Rugby Ready, stay Rugby Ready

All stakeholders have a collective responsibility to ensure the Game is played with a sense of fair play. Rugby is intensely physical so players must be continuously taught the importance of discipline. That means that foul play, thuggery or referee abuse must not be tolerated. All custodians of this great Game need to promote fair play.

  • Respect yourself, the opposition, the officials and the Laws of the Game
  • Win with honour, lose with dignity
  • Try to stay calm
  • The referee is in charge; show your support by playing fair and respecting decisions

Screen and profile your players before they start playing
Ensure equipment and environment are as safe as possible, and develop an emergency plan
Prepare players properly - physical conditioning, lifestyle, warm-up and cool-down
Teach and use appropriate techniques: stability, posture, tackle, scrum, lineout, ruck and maul
Foul play must not be tolerated
Know how to deal with any injuries and ensure players rehabilitate properly