The Int'l Rugby Board "is weighing up whether to ban players from using mobile phones on matchdays during Rugby World Cup 2015 as a preventative measure against match-fixing," according to Tom Hamilton of ESPN.
Reports in the French press on Monday said that "the IRB was considering bringing in the measure to combat any risk of match-fixing in next year's showpiece and CEO Brett Gosper said it is just one of many options the governing body is weighing up." Gosper said, "We don't want to apply anything that's overly draconian or doesn't take into account the normal way players use their phones but to a certain extent we have to ensure we are not taking any risks in the gambling area." Last February the IRB "issued a directive saying players were banned from betting on any form of the game" and while 2015 Rugby World Cup Head Alan Gilpin does not believe match-fixing to be a concern for the game at present, he said that "it is right the stakeholders in the game stay on top of any future risk." Gilpin: "The use of mobile phones is under consideration. It is about being appropriate. Finding the right balance between taking the right steps to protect the integrity of the tournament and the sport but not doing anything that is over-draconian" (ESPN, 11/18).
NAME CHANGE: The AFP reported the IRB "formally changed its name to World Rugby on Tuesday at the conclusion of its two-day conference in London." Explaining the reason for the change, World Rugby Chair Bernard Lapasset said, "Today's launch embodies our mission statement to grow the global rugby family beyond our traditional family and fan base and reflects the federation's evolution from rugby regulator to rugby inspirer" (AFP, 11/19).
