IRUPA to launch helpline for players

A 24-hour support helpline for rugby players past and present will be launched tomorrow by Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) who are concerned by the results of two recent studies.

Firstly, IRUPA canvassed their members last year to see how players in this country handle the emotional stresses and strains involved with professional sport, and the results were enough to make the players’ body take action.

The IRUPA survey, completed by 241 of its members, revealed that 67% of players involved in Irish rugby worry about their playing performance.