With the Rugby World Cup starting tomorrow , the Professional Rugby Players (PRA) association has announced that it has more than 400 players who have taken its comprehensive legal and health cover.
During the World Cup, the PRA will be representing the entire England squad as well as five Scots, four Irish, eight Western Samoan, two South African, one Canadian and one American player who all play for UK clubs. More than 50 calls have been made to the DAS legal helpline – including one from former England captain, Lawrence Dallaglio, who will be making use of the £25,000 legal insurance to help in the costs of his recent disciplinary hearing.
"We have seen some very high profile cases with Dallaglio's legal case and players such as Joel Stransky retiring through injury," said PRA chief executive Damian Hopley.
"While the PRA can never stop this happening, we can lessen the blow."