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International Rugby Players is the global representative body on issues of importance to professional Rugby players.
By Representing, Supporting and Unifying players, we serve them in areas such as:
Player Associations from across the globe are members of the International Rugby Players General Executive.
Our membership is currently made up of the national professional player associations from South Africa, England, Australia, Ireland, Wales, France, Japan, Scotland, Romania, Pacific (Fiji, Tonga and Samoa) USA, Italy and New Zealand. Members are also represented on the board of International Rugby Players.
While other nations are currently in the process of setting up associations, countries without established player associations are represented by their Player Council representative, which is made up of men’s and women’s players across all major rugby competitions in both the 15’s and 7’s game.
Chairman
Patrick was the Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Insurance plc – the carrier for Zurich’s pan-European general insurance business, based in Dublin, Ireland. He also served as the Chief Administrative Officer of Zurich in EMEA.
Patrick is an experienced Executive and Non-Executive Director, having served on various Boards across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
The Tipperary native joined the International Rugby Players board as independent chairman in 2018.
Board Member
CEO of the New Zealand Players Association (NZRPA), Rob Nichol was the first head of the International Players’ body, then called IRPA, which was based in Auckland.
Rob has been to the forefront of the players’ dealings with World Rugby and has worked on many major aspects of the game, including the Global season structure 2020-2032.
Board Member
Following a successful career with Harlequins in England and Leinster in Ireland and winning caps with Ireland “A”, Simon Keogh became the Head of Rugby Players Ireland in 2017.
A graduate of University College Dublin, Simon furthered his education with a Diploma in Legal Studies from Dublin Business School and later trained as a solicitor at the Law Society of Ireland. In 2011, Simon was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors.
Simon was elected to the board of International Rugby Players in August 2022.
Board Member
Former British & Irish Lions and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll joined the board of International Rugby Players in January 2020.
One of the most capped international players in the game with 141 test appearances, Brian brings a wealth of experience from both on and off the pitch. Upon joining, he said: “It’s clear to me that rugby needs to change in order to properly grow and players need to be at the forefront of shaping this.”
Board Member
Former Tongan international and Pacific Rugby Players founder Hale T-Pole joined the board of International Rugby Players in January 2020.
The back-rower who played club rugby all over the world has great experience helping Pacific players based in the Islands and across the world with various issues. Hale has lobbied strongly for greater opportunities for all Tier Two teams.
Chief Executive Officer
Omar Hassanein
omar@rugbyplayers.org
Head of Communications
Eoin McHugh
eoin@rugbyplayers.org
Head of Player Welfare
Conrad Smith
conrad@rugbyplayers.org
Head of Legal
David Quinlan
david@rugbyplayers.org
Head of Women’s Rugby
Rachael Burford
rachael@rugbyplayers.org
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