The Rugby Football Union and World Rugby want to protect the integrity of the game by ensuring that all matches are contested on a level playing field and are won on merit. That means that if you work in or are otherwise involved in professional or semi-professional rugby you:
- DO NOT bet on any rugby match (or ask anyone to place a bet for you) anywhere in the world.
- DO NOT misuse or pass on inside information e.g. details of injuries, selection, etc. if not already public knowledge. Be careful on social media! (What is Inside Information? – see below)
- DO NOT accept money or gifts from anyone who is betting on rugby or in return for giving inside information or underperforming in a match.
- DO NOT fix or attempt to fix any part of a match
- REPORT any approach, activity or anything suspicious or unusual that comes to your attention
These rules cover everyone involved in the professional game – including all international players, all Premiership players, all Championship players, all Academy players and all other contracted players. It also applies to agents, match officials, disciplinary personnel, coaches, analysts, health professionals, selectors, academy personnel, team officials, and owners, directors and personnel of Unions, clubs, rugby bodies and associations, involved in professional or semi-professional rugby.
The following are also prohibited:
- Fixing a match or attempting to fix a match
- Benefitting from failing to perform
- Soliciting, inducing encouraging (or attempting to) any other party to do any of the above offences
- Posing a threat to the integrity of rugby
- Destruction of evidence in relation to a potential breach
- Failing to report suspicions or approaches
After the latest controversy, we looked back at five famous betting scandals which rocked the world of rugby.
#1. Rob Howley
On September 17, 2019, Rob Howley was dismissed from Wales’ Rugby World Cup training camp in Japan due to a violation of sports betting regulations.
He was subsequently given an 18-month ban, with 9 months suspended, after being found guilty of placing 363 bets on rugby union games, involving a total of 1,163 matches.
Howley attributed his betting behavior to his sister’s depression, alcoholism and untimely passing.