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Rugby Union News: Former Players Demand Reduced Fixtures to Protect Future Generations
In a bold move to safeguard the well-being of players, a group of 295 former international rugby union stars have filed a lawsuit against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and the Welsh Rugby Union. Led by ex-Wales wing Lenny Woodard, the players are seeking damages, alleging that the governing bodies failed in their duty of care by not implementing adequate measures to protect their health and safety.
Woodard, who is among the former internationals experiencing dementia symptoms, has called for a drastic reduction in the current fixture list. He proposes mirroring the structure of the NFL, where the regular season comprises just 17 matches, plus up to four in the playoffs, and coaches are only permitted to schedule 16 contact training sessions per year.
“Let’s shamelessly copy what is working so well for the NFL – 17 games in a regular season, plus the play-offs, and no more than 16 padded practices,” Woodard said to Mail Sport. “That’s 37 days of full contact in a year. We need to focus on quality, not quantity.”
The players’ demands would have a significant impact on the rugby union landscape, as top internationals currently participate in over 30 matches per season. The Rugby Players’ Association has been lobbying for a limit of 30 games per season, citing research that shows “31 match involvements” lead to a “significantly higher injury burden” the following year.
Richard Boardman, the players’ lawyer from Rylands Garth, accused World Rugby and the RFU of being in denial about the issue.
“Generations of retired players are suffering the consequences of a sport in denial,” Boardman told Mail Sport. “We urgently need to implement changes to protect the players of today and to preserve the future of the game.”
The legal action comes at a critical time for the sport, as concerns over player safety and the long-term effects of concussions and sub-concussions continue to mount. The proposed changes to the fixture list, modeled on the successful NFL structure, aim to safeguard the health and well-being of rugby union players, ensuring that the sport’s future remains both vibrant and sustainable.
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