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RFU introduces new policy for pregnant rugby players

By PA
Abbie Ward of England arrives ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2021 Final match between New Zealand and England at Eden Park on November 12, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

England players contracted to the Rugby Football Union are to benefit from a new maternity policy that includes 26 weeks of leave on full pay.

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Also included in the ‘maternity, pregnant parent and adoption leave policy’ is the capacity for pregnant players to perform other roles within rugby until they begin maternity leave.

In addition, the program set up by the RFU in conjunction with the Rugby Players’ Association will make provision for infants to travel with players to games and training camps.

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Any pregnant player wishing to be involved in the team will have that right protected, while “ensuring that the safety of the player and the unborn child are considered first”.

A risk assessment will determine what duties can be safely performed during pregnancy.

Protections are also provided in the event that contracts are renegotiated or extended during pregnancy.

“There has been a great deal of work carried out by players, the RPA and the RFU to get to this point,” said Red Roses lock Abbie Ward, who recently announced she is expecting her first child.

“I’m confident the policy will help normalise motherhood in sport and give players the best possible chance of returning to play should they wish to do so in a secure and safe way.”

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RPA General Secretary Christian Day said: “Player welfare and wellbeing will always be something that the RPA will strive to advance and this new policy ensures that our women’s players will be better supported through parenthood when representing England.

“Perhaps the most pleasing aspect has been the way that it is the players themselves who have been engaged with and included in discussions to help shape and develop its formulation. With this policy now in place, not only will it provide safety and security for the players, but it also makes becoming a parent more normal and less taboo, which is exactly as it should be.”

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J
JW 27 minutes ago
Did the best of Ireland leave with Johnny Sexton and Stuart Lancaster?

Certainly got lucky, their strike rate in recruits is simply to high to be another else. How many failures can you count off the top of you head?


Theyre no longer playing that attack structure, so kinda irrelevant I feel. Sexton's metronomic tempo was perfect for that sort of football though. I really shouldn't say anything disparaging about his ability and influence on a northern style as he's probably a much closer footballer to the great Dan Carter than the modern NZ tens are. Still feel the game is better off in the NH now that players like Smith and Ntamack are able to lead the way with their performances.


I suggest not falling into that trap of replacing someone. They don't need a Sexton at 10, that guy and influence can come from anywhere in the team. Wallace Sititi for example has done so much to flip the debate on the NZ midfielders needing to have Nonu/Smith level distribution. They're trying to transition their game into a fast contest, ala their two victories against SA, but also losing out on that against SA and England (possible NZ too). Nienaber being seen as more beneficial to that outcome than Lancaster. I too think they're wrong though, it was a gift Faz got provided with but I haven't seen the Irish psyche want to recognize that. Some might say it's disrespectful to credit all of Irelands success on the back of a fortuitous style of play they discovered (were gifted, w/e) but I'll tell anyone that that's all New Zealands success is based off, and if a more natural organically grown pressuring style it's still something that is ingrained on everyones instincts just the same and can easily be lost of not appreciated.

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