World Rugby is the global governing body for the sport of rugby union. It oversees and manages international competitions, sets the laws of the game, and promotes the sport’s growth and development worldwide.
World Rugby plays a pivotal role in shaping the sport, ensuring its growth, and upholding its values and integrity on a global scale. Its efforts contribute to the continued evolution and success of rugby union as a dynamic and inclusive sport.
Role and responsibilities
International governance – World Rugby sets and regulates the laws of the game, ensuring consistency and fair play at every level of rugby union.
Tournaments and competitions – it organises and manages the major international competitions, including the Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, the Women’s Rugby World Cup and a range of regional tournaments.
Player welfare – it prioritises player safety, putting measures and guidelines in place to reduce the risk of injury and protect everyone who plays.
Global development – it works to expand the game worldwide, supporting emerging nations through development programmes, funding and resources.
Structure
Council – World Rugby is governed by its Council, made up of representatives from member unions and regional associations.
Executive Committee – the Executive Committee runs the organisation day to day and delivers its strategic plans.
Member unions – national rugby unions around the world are members of World Rugby and help to govern and develop the game in their own countries.
Grassroots and development
World Rugby backs initiatives and programmes that develop the game at grassroots level, encourage youth participation, and promote inclusivity and diversity across the sport.
Global impact
Its competitions and initiatives have driven the global growth of rugby, building the game’s popularity well beyond its traditional strongholds.
For more about World Rugby, its programmes and resources, visit world.rugby.
World Rugby and International Gay Rugby signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2015, committing both organisations to work together to promote equality and inclusivity and to educate against and eliminate homophobia in rugby. The agreement was signed at World Rugby House in Dublin.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, World Rugby and IGR recognise and respect:
The two organisations also committed to consult on issues of importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the game by:
“We look forward to collaborating with International Gay Rugby to promote inclusivity, equality and friendship as rugby continues to reach out, engage and inspire more men, women and children than ever before. Rugby is an inclusive sport which has at its heart character-building values of passion, integrity, solidarity, respect and discipline. The signing of this historic agreement underscores our commitment to those values and our strategic vision, a game for all, true to its values.”
Bernard Lapasset, World Rugby Chairman (2015)
“This is a momentous occasion for LGBT athletes, supporters, officials and administrators and the people who support them in the game of rugby. World Rugby is a trail-blazer as a global governing body in committing to actively eliminate homophobia from any sport. We are committed to partnering with World Rugby to continue our work of making rugby the most inclusive and tolerant sport in the world. The bold step by World Rugby to commit to these shared purposes with IGR reflects the character-building values that are important to us all in the sport. Hopefully, other sporting governing bodies can look to World Rugby as a role model and follow suit.”
Jeff Wilson, International Gay Rugby Chairman (2015)
Read the original announcement: World Rugby signs historic agreement with International Gay Rugby. You can also explore our wider partnership work.
