The Rugby Players Association (RPA) and Premiership Rugby can confirm that Round 12 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby has been dedicated to Restart Round, the RPA’s Official Charity.

Restart is dedicated to supporting professional rugby players suffering from serious injury, illness, or hardship.

Every rugby player’s dream is to combine their passion with their career and play for club and country. However, in such a high-pressure environment, it can be hard for players to focus on anything other than the next game in front of them.

Recent times have shown exactly how quickly things can change for players and how they may need to adapt to a new reality overnight. They could be playing a high intensity game one day and searching for their new career in the next.

The rugby community must come together during these worrying times and that is where Restart steps in. Restart is there to support players and families when times are hard, through funding grants to help current and former players practically, financially, and emotionally.

Judith Batchelar OBE, RPA Management Board Chair, and Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership Rugby’s Chief Executive said: “The Rugby Players Association (RPA) and Premiership Rugby are pleased to confirm that Restart Round will be back this December, running from the 2nd-4th December and dedicating Round 12 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby to support our players.

“The Restart Weekend is a key part of the Premiership Rugby calendar as our two organisations come together to spotlight the great work done by Restart to help those in our rugby community who are struggling to cope in any way. Recent times have shown exactly how quickly things can change for players and how they may need to adapt to a new reality overnight, and that is where Restart comes in to help.”

Ben Harris, former Wasps player, said: “Following significant surgery earlier in the year, administration at my club meant that I was no longer covered to receive specialist medical support.

With the support that Restart Rugby has provided to myself and a number of my teammates, I have been able to continue my rehabilitation via specialist support, in the hope of continuing my playing career.”

Alongside all Gallagher Premiership Rugby clubs, Premiership Rugby are also getting behind this all-important Restart Round and will help to raise awareness for the charity and turn the league red.

Each Gallagher Premiership Rugby Club is also helping to raise vital funds for the charity with fans able to get involved in the following activity:

• SIGN UP to easyfundraising to get free donations for Restart every time you shop online!
• BID on exclusive signed player, club, and England Rugby memorabilia.
• DONATE by texting FOROURPLAYERS to 70490 to donate £10. Each text costs £10 + one standard rate message.

If you’d like to learn more about Restart Round visit our website here.

Keep an eye on Restart Rugby’s social channels (@RestartRugby) for announcements on the weekend, and let’s get the Rugby Community to support our players.

#ForOurPlayers