IRFU TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN WORLD RUGBY "RALERI” GOGGLES TRIAL
Irish Rugby Football Union today announced its intention to register to participate in the ongoing World Rugby Raleri goggles trial. The IRFU Medical Committee made the recommendation following a thorough review of World Rugby trial data and updated advice given by independent medical experts. Some of the initial concerns that had been raised have been addressed by design changes in the goggles.
The current restriction on goggles remains in place until such time as the IRFU has been confirmed as a trial participant by World Rugby. The IRFU hopes that this will be completed early in the New Year.
If the IRFU is accepted onto the trial those seeking to wear goggles on the field must then apply to World Rugby to participate in the trial and purchase the Raleri goggles directly from the Italian manufacturer – in accordance with the terms of the trial, no other eyewear will be permitted.
The IRFU encourages parents, players, coaches and volunteers to review information available from World Rugby in relation to the trial. http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/goggles
To assist those seeking a greater understanding of the situation the IRFU advised:
1. What is the World Rugby goggles trial?
1. World Rugby is conducting a trial to test the safety of goggles/eyewear.
2. The trial covers one set of goggles (manufactured by Raleri Italy) in one size.
3. The trial was due to be completed in May 2015 but has been extended on two occasions and is now due to be completed in late 2016.
4. Players can wear goggles if they are members of a union that is partaking in the trail, they register for the trial with World Rugby and they wear the Raleri trial goggles.Players must present a letter, to the referee, from their eye expert confirming their need to wear goggles.
2. What is the current status of this trial?
1. The trial has been extended until late 2016.
2. As the trial has taken longer than initially planned the IRFU sought trial data from World Rugby for review.
3. Based on this review, and an updated goggle design, the IRFU Medical Committee has advised that the IRFU can apply to enter the trial.
3. Has the IRFU ever allowed people to wear glasses or goggles on the field of play?
1. No, with the exception of non-contact forms of the games such as Leprechaun, Tag and Touch rugby, it has never been permissible to wear eyewear of any variety whilst playing contact rugby in Ireland.
4. Why did the IRFU initially decide not to participate in the trial?
1. Based on independent medical advice and medical/safety concerns (in relation to the initial goggle) it was decided that Ireland would not participate in the trial.The IRFU understood that this decision would not be popular with many, but the Union will always put player welfare first.
2. Over the course of the trial the goggle design has been updated and based on this, and the trial data to-date, the decision was made to enter the trial.
5. What are the next steps?
1. The IRFU will now register its intention to enter the trial with World Rugby.
2. Upon approval the IRFU will advise club and schools that applications can then be made to World Rugby by players seeking to wear goggles as part of the trial.
6. What advice does the IRFU have for any coach/parent/player or referees that may be tempted to allow people to play with goggles immediately?
1. The current restriction in relation to the wearing of goggles in contact rugby remains in place until such time as the IRFU has notified clubs and schools that Ireland has been accepted onto the World Rugby trial
2. Once the IRFU have been accepted by World Rugby and are participating in the trial, the wearing of the Raleri goggles only will be permitted by players who have been accepted into the trial.ALL OTHER GOGGLES WILL REMAIN PROHIBITED IN LINE WITH WORLD RUGBY LAWS.
For further information please contact:
Stephen McNamara, Director of Communications
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +353 87 387 4596
Ashbourne Draw Boyne 2nds at Home in Provincial Towns Cup
Ashbourne drew Boyne 2nds in the 1st round of the Provincial Towns Cup at the draw on Saturday in the Ballsbridge Hotel. Ashbourne were actually first out of the draw once the byes had been drawn, and will meet near neighbours Boyne in the 1st round on the last Sunday in January.
See full draw attached.
Ashbourne Bow Out of their First Venture in the All Ireland Junior Cup
Ashbourne visited Enniscorthy for a second time this season and though the lost by a score of 32 to 20 this was a much improved display in many facets of the performance from the previous encounter. With a semi final place at stake in the All Ireland Junior Cup, Ashbourne found the Leinster League leaders too much on the day.
On a bitterly cold afternoon in Wexford, Ashbourne were caught cold at the start of the game and within 18 minutes were 17 nil down. Two early converted tries and a penalty saw Ashbourne face huge challenge to get something from the day. A slow start and poor tackling saw Enniscorthy use their very efficient back line to rack up the scores.
But Ashbourne in fairness worked their way back into the game. Ashbourne scrum had the upper hand and the pack in general led by McCaghy start putting some momentum into the Ashbourne game. It was from a scrum that Crotty score the first of his 5 kicks. Two more penalties brought Ashbourne back into the game by the break but there was a cutting edge missing in the backline on the day.
Trailing by 9 points to 17, Ashbourne would have hoped for a better start to the second half but Ashbourne conceded a try from the kick off so they were back to square one, but they did not give up. Rooney and Deevy carried well and the two Wall brothers worked very hard. McNally and Crotty distributed well while Kent and Cramer tried to make ground. But it was the boot of Crotty that narrowed the score to a converted try. The two kicks brought the score line to 22 points to 15. Ashbourne were in with a shout and very competitive but they still could not master the Enniscorthy movement out wide.
A two-try burst by Enniscorthy between the 28th and 30th minute, both in the right corner, saw the home side seal the game and both were uncoverted. A score of 32 points to 15 was too much for Ashbourne to recover from. That said Jake Wall touched down for a consolation try in the last few minutes but now Ashbourne will return and focus on the bread and butter of the league next week.
The league returns next week and Ashbourne are away to Suttonians next Saturday in with a 2.30pm kick off. The second XV play the same opposition at 1.00pm
Team: Alan Wall, James McCaghy, Mark Behan, Eoin Mc Guinness, Ciaran Roche, Jake Wall, Mark Rooney, Simon Deevy, Conor McNally, Donal Crotty, Andrew Tormey, Sean Kent, Tristan Cramer, Adam Hughes, Cathal Field,
Subs: Dan Norton, Keith Kennedy, Stephen O’Neill, Casey Dunne, Dermot Colreavy
