The IRB is considering introducing strict new rules to ban mobile phones from dressing rooms as part of anti-corruption measures. Photo / Getty Images.
The IRB is considering introducing strict new rules to ban mobile phones from dressing rooms as part of anti-corruption measures. Photo / Getty Images.
The IRB is considering introducing strict new rules to ban mobile phones from dressing rooms as part of anti-corruption measures.
Rugby's governing body is looking at following the International Cricket Council's recent decision to introduce rules which will ban mobile phones from dressing rooms at international matches, to protect the15-man code illegal gambling and match-fixing threats.
On Tuesday, IRB chief executive Brett Gosper explained new rules could come into effect which would require players hand in their phones on arrival at the ground on game-days.
"The integrity of sport, whether it be gambling and anti-doping, is an issue for all sports and like all other sports we're looking at options in terms of what can be the right protocols to ensure that there might not be issues that can lead to gambling,' Gosper told the Mailonline.
"That's on the table to be investigated, we haven't yet made a call. We're comparing some of the protocols in other sports and we will make a call on it in the next few months.
"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."
