World Rugby guidelines set cap of 30 games per season for players

Conrad Smith, head of the International Rugby Players' Association, said lowering rates is "not rocket science" but about managing "how many games you play, how much contact training you do".

According to an IRPA study, the lowering of tackle heights has made little difference to concussion rates in the professional game. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

World Rugby has announced new guidelines to manage player load at the top level in the men's and women's game.

The guidelines include that players should play no more than 30 games in a single season or play for six consecutive weeks. Players should have a dedicated five-week off-season break. 

They should also be entitled to minimum rest periods of at least one week if they are selected for international matches and across the year, they should have 12 weeks of non-contact time. The guidelines also say that there should be thorough communication between clubs and countries. 

World Rugby has made the agreement of these guidelines a condition of approval for next summer's new Nations Championship. 

“These guidelines are the result of much intense negotiation over many years," said Dr Brett Robinson, chairman of World Rugby. 

"I’d like to congratulate all involved on achieving this agreement. As with all World Rugby policies, these guidelines are informed by the latest science and expert opinion.

“Our hope, over time, is that unions and competitions reach local agreements to best serve the individual circumstances of players. In the meantime, these guidelines provide a solid backstop. 

"As we grow our sport, players can be sure that they are being well supported by their clubs, unions and at the very top of the game by World Rugby.”

The introduction of the guidelines comes following lobbying by former All Black Conrad Smith, now head of the International Rugby Players' Association. According to an IRPA study, the move to lower tackle heights has made little difference to the number of concussions in the professional game. What Smith believes will lower concussion rates is the reduction of contact time. 

“If you look at the incidents of foul play, it is very, very rare that players are receiving concussion and head acceleration events from foul play," he told The Telegraph.

"They are receiving them from playing rugby. How do we manage that? It is not rocket science – you manage how many games you play, how much contact training you do."

Smith added that finding a practical balance with these guidelines at elite level "will take time".

"We can’t let those complications mean that we don’t do anything," he said.

"At World Rugby level until now we have just said we will let everyone else manage it. In any other workplace with the level of injuries that rugby has, you can’t do that. You mitigate the risk. That is why this is a step towards (change).

“In any other workplace you can’t have that attitude about the health and safety of an individual – that it’s too complicated. This is why we favour individual management within these guidelines. Maybe different solutions need to be found. Just because it is not easy, does not mean we can just wash our hands of it.”