The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) today announced that Harlequins prop Mark Lambert has been re-elected as RPA Chairman, while experienced England 7s player Phil Burgess has been appointed Vice-Chairman. 
 
Lambert who has made more than 235 appearances for Harlequins during a distinguished club career received the unanimous backing of the RPA Players’ Board and will embark on his second season in the role, and his sixth as an RPA board member.
 
On being re-elected Mark said: “I am really honoured to be in this position for another year. I will do my best to represent all of our members equally at a time when that has never been more needed. Phil has been an excellent Player Representative for a number of years and I look forward to working more closely with him, along with a board that is full of experience and respect at the highest levels of the game.”

Mark will be assisted in his role by Phil Burgess who becomes the first England Men’s 7s player to be elected as RPA Vice-Chairman. Phil made his World Series debut in 2013 and has since proven to be a vital cog in the England 7s squad, appearing in 219 World 7s matches and scoring 322 points. The 2018/19 season will be Phil’s sixth on the RPA Players’ Board.
 
On his appointment Phil said: “I feel extremely proud to have been elected as RPA Vice-Chairman for the 2018/19 season. This is my sixth season representing the England Men’s 7s squad and I felt that this was a great opportunity to increase my involvement with the RPA by putting my name forward for this role. I am very excited to be the first 7s player to serve as Vice-Chairman and to me this shows how the game is changing for the better and allowing all professional players in England to have a strong and united voice. I am looking forward to working closely with Mark and the 13 other Player Representatives to continue building on the great work already achieved by the RPA Players’ Board.”
 
For more information on the 2018/19 RPA Players’ Board click here.