Players Podcast International Rugby Players

During the Covid-19 lockdown, a lot has been going on behind the scenes around a future Global Season for Rugby. Episode 19 of the Players Podcast talks to our very own International Rugby Players CEO, Omar Hassanein, who's been involved in the discussions with Rugby's power brokers since the Rugby came to a shuddering halt in March 2020.

This episode comes as Rugby marks it's 25th anniversary of professionalism and so we look back on what professionalism has brought us - good and bad - and what we can learn for the future. Have a listen and check out rugbyplayers.org for more!

Fresh from negotiating and agreeing one of the most high-pressure deals in sport, NFL Players’ boss DeMaurice Smith joins us for Episode 18 of the Players Podcast.

A former trial lawyer, Smith talks candidly about the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between players and owners and how it’s one of the most stressful deals he’s ever done.

He also talked about the resistance from some players to adding an extra game to the season, the impact of social media on the deal and how players were split on other aspects of the CBA.

In a wide ranging chat with host Eoin McHugh, concussion in the sport, politics and the impact of Covid-19 was also covered.

Enjoy and check us out on rugbyplayers.org for much more!

Conrad Smith knows a thing or two about winning Rugby World Cups - the former All Black centre was part of the team that claimed the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2011 and again in 2015.

In conversation with Eoin McHugh, the Taranaki native talks about the dark days in the aftermath of New Zealand’s early exit from RWC 2007, rebuilding the squad, the pressures of playing in a World Cup on home soil...and doing it all over again in 2015.

But his main message to those wanting to win a Rugby World Cup? Deal with the unexpected.

Enjoy, share with your mates and check out rugbyplayers.org for more!

One of the boldest moves made by South Africa's Rugby World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus was to include the head of the country's players association in his management team for Japan 2019. Eugene Henning, CEO of MyPlayers, was appointed player affairs manager and helped make sure the schedule was manageable, the environment was positive and that the squad were treated as "humans first". Eugene told the Players Podcast about his time with the RWC winners, his role... and how it could set the trend for putting the player front and centre in international rugby. Check it out!

Steve Hoiles grew up learning from the Australian greats in Randwick before going on to win over 100 Super Rugby caps with the Brumbies and a Super Rugby championship with the Waratahs along with the Wallabies.

Always a straight shooter, Steve spoke to Eoin McHugh about the state of Aussie Rugby, their chances in the upcoming RWC and what he’s been doing since retirement.

Episode 14 of the Players Podcast is all about the Laws of the Game.

Ahead of a major Law Reviews meeting in London last week, International Rugby Players got the views of our top players from the Men's 15s and 7s game.

After the forum, we spoke to player reps David Quinlan and Rachael Burford who represented our 15s & 7s players, to dive deeper into the discussion about the current laws and some proposals to make the game safer.

From the 50:22 rule to tackles above the waist, there's lots to discuss here so get comfortable... and give us your feedback!