Rugby Players' Association

RPA
Rugby Players' Association
Formation1998 (1998)
Location
Membership 590 (2024)[1]
General Secretary
Christian Day
Websitetherpa.co.uk

The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) is a trade union representing elite rugby rugby union players in England. The RPA is the representative body and collective voice of elite rugby players in England and represents more than 600 male and female current rugby players, as well as more than 100 former players.[2]

Overview

RPA members qualify for a wide range of benefits, including: independent representation; legal advice; personal and professional development; playing insurance; education; confidential counselling; transition support; and more. Members can also access the support of a charity, Restart, in the event of serious illness, injury or hardship.[3]

The RPA was founded by professional player Damian Hopley, who was forced to early retirement after an injury.[4]

In August 2022, the RPA announced that Hopley was to leave the organisation after 24 years in charge of the company.[5]

On 16 January 2023, it was announced that Christian Day, was elected the new General Secretary of the RPA, following an election to the membership.[6]

RPA Men's Rugby Board

The following rugby union professionals playing in England make up the current RPA Men's Rugby Board, as of the 2025-26 season.[7]

Role Player Team
Chair Max Lahiff Bristol Bears (men)
Vice-chair Ivan van Zyl Saracens (men)
Board Member
Brett Connon Newcastle Red Bulls (men)
Will Evans Harlequins (men)
Emmanuel Iyogun Northampton Saints (men)
Ben Spencer Bath Rugby (men)
Simon McIntyre Sale Sharks (men)
Richard Capstick Exeter Chiefs (men)
Lewis Ludlow Gloucester Rugby (men)
Joe Heyes Leicester Tigers (men)

RPA Women's Rugby Board

In June 2025, the RPA members voted in favour of a proposal to establish a Women's Rugby Board. [8]

According to the RPA, it 'marks a significant step forward in the RPA’s ongoing commitment to provide representation and wellbeing support for every elite player across the game. The creation of both Boards will ensure tailored, player-led representation for men’s and women’s rugby, allowing each to address the unique challenges and opportunities within their respective environments'

The new board is set to be voted in early 2026.

Awards

The following have been recognised at the annual RPA Awards, as voted on by professional rugby union players in England, since 2010:[9]

15 Under 23

The following teams represent the 15 Under 23, consisting of the top players in England aged 23 and under, as selected by voters, each year since 2022:[25]

2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
No. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team
1. Bevan Rodd Sale Bevan Rodd Sale Fin Baxter Harlequins Asher Opoku-Fordjour Sale
2. Nic Dolly Leicester Theo Dan Saracens Theo Dan Saracens Theo Dan Saracens
3. Joe Heyes Leicester Joe Heyes Leicester Asher Opoku-Fordjour Sale Afolabi Fasogbon Gloucester
4. Nick Isiekwe Saracens George Martin Leicester Dafydd Jenkins Exeter Freddie Thomas Gloucester
5. Ollie Chessum Leicester Hugh Tizard Saracens Ollie Chessum Leicester Arthur Clark Gloucester
6. Ben Earl Saracens Ted Hill Bath Chandler Cunningham-South Harlequins Guy Pepper Bath
7. Tom Pearson London Irish Tom Pearson London Irish Guy Pepper Newcastle Henry Pollock Northampton
8. Fitz Harding Bristol Fitz Harding Bristol Ross Vintcent Exeter Greg Fisilau Exeter
9. Harry Randall Bristol Gus Warr Sale Jack van Poortvliet Leicester Jack van Poortvliet Leicester
10. Marcus Smith Harlequins Fin Smith Northampton Fin Smith Northampton Fin Smith Northampton
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins London Irish Cadan Murley Harlequins Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Exeter Paul Brown-Bampoe Exeter
12. Dan Kelly Leicester Seb Atkinson Gloucester Max Ojomoh Bath Seb Atkinson Gloucester
13. Fraser Dingwall Northampton Ollie Lawrence Bath Oscar Beard Harlequins Oscar Beard Harlequins
14. Louis Rees-Zammit Gloucester Mateo Carreras Newcastle Tommy Freeman Northampton Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Exeter
15. Freddie Steward Leicester Joe Carpenter Sale Josh Hodge Exeter Ciaran Donoghue Bath

Since the 2023/24 season, the RPA have also voted for a Women's 15 Under 23 Team of the Season, from players from Premiership Women's Rugby.

2023-24 2024–25
No. Player Team Player Team
1. Abby Middlebrooke Exeter Chiefs Kelsey Clifford Saracens
2. Niamh Swailes Sale Lucy Calladine Loughborough
3. Kelsey Clifford Saracens Maud Muir Gloucester–Hartpury
4. Delaney Burns Bristol Bears Lilli Ives Campion Leicester
5. Lilli Ives Campion Loughborough Eva Donaldson Leicester
6. Maisy Allen Exeter Chiefs Georgia Brock Gloucester–Hartpury
7. Sadia Kabeya Loughborough Maisy Allen Exeter Chiefs
8. Evie Gallagher Bristol Bears Maddie Feaunati Exeter Chiefs
9. Tori Sellors Saracens Flo Robinson Exeter Chiefs
10. Lleucu George Gloucester–Hartpury Lizzie Duffy Sale
11. Reneeqa Bonner Bristol Bears Mia Venner Gloucester–Hartpury
12. Carmella Morrall Loughborough Clàudia Peña Harlequins
13. Sophie Bridger Saracens Emma Orr Bristol Bears
14. Katie Shillaker Harlequins Millie David Bristol Bears
15. Ellie Kildunne Harlequins Emma Sing Gloucester–Hartpury

Hall of Fame

The following players, coaches, officials, administrators and commentators have been inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame:[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ "RPA AR21 Form for the year ending 31 December 2023" (PDF). GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  2. ^ "The RPA". therpa.co.uk. The RPA. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  3. ^ "About Us". The RPA. The RPA. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. ^ Hopley continues as players' boss BBC 2006-10-30 Retrieved on 2009-02-13.
  5. ^ "RPA Column - August". The RPA. The RPA.
  6. ^ "Christian Day Elected General Secretary of the RPA". The RPA.
  7. ^ "Max Lahiff and Ivan van Zyl Elected RPA Men's Rugby Board Chair and Vice Chair for 2025/26". The RPA. The RPA. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. ^ "RPA Members Approve Establishment of Men's and Women's Rugby Boards". The RPA. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  9. ^ "The RPA Awards". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "The RPA Awards 2010". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "The RPA Awards 2011". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2012". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2013". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2014". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2015". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2016". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2017". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2018". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2019". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2020". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2021". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2022". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2023". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2024: Winners". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  25. ^ "RPA 15 Under 23". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  26. ^ "RPA Hall of Fame". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
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