News

The Rugby Players Association (RPA) Players’ Board met in London today and approved a proposal to add Premiership Women’s Rugby player representatives to its' Players’ Board from the 2025/26 season.

Following the approval, a seven-day public consultation period will now open to invite feedback on the proposal and the resulting changes proposed to the RPA’s governance structure.

Under the updated constitution, the RPA governance structure will consist of the RPA Players’ Board, which will remain the ultimate decision-making body of the Association. In addition, two new sub-boards will be created – a Men’s Rugby Board and a Women’s Rugby Board – each comprising a player representative from every Premiership Rugby and Premiership Women’s Rugby club.

RPA Chair Ruaridh McConnochie said: “This is a really important step for the RPA and for the game more broadly. Ensuring that players from both the men’s and women’s competitions have a formal voice in our governance structure is vital for a truly representative and united players’ union.”

RPA Head of Women’s Rugby Rachael Burford added: “Having played the game at every level, I’ve seen first-hand how vital it is for players to have a formal voice in the decisions that shape their careers. This proposal is about creating space for that voice—ensuring women’s rugby is represented equally and meaningfully at the top level of the game."

An explainer document outlining the proposed changes is available here.