Key legal issues to look out for at the Rugby World Cup 2023

With the Rugby World Cup 2023 upon us, LawInSport has reached out to a number of legal experts working in the sports sector to share their views on the key issues to look out for around the sport of rugby in the lead up to the World Cup.

The contributors to this article include leading solicitors, barristers, and arbitrators who are experts of the area of law in sport, and have extensive experience representing leagues, clubs, players, agents and national and international federations both in and outside of rugby. We would like to thank all of them for sharing their views.

Topics that are front of mind include the head contact process, supporting different tiers of teams, anti-doping rules, climate change protests, the evolving format of the competition, and the stability of the rugby union. These experts also present their views on internationalisation, the foul play review process, the embedding of ESG policies, disciplinary proceedings, the effect of governance structures, and more.  

We would like to thank all of our contributors for taking the time to share their views. The contributors of this article are:

• Steven Flynn — Barrister, Kings Chambers & 2 Temple Gardens
• Jonathan Rennie — Partner, TLT LLP
• Sam Fellows — Lecturer & Teaching Fellow, University of Waikato
• Jon Walters — Partner, Northridge
• Max Duthie — Partner, Bird & Bird LLP
• Kevin Carpenter — Principal, Captivate Legal and Sports Solutions
• Jack Anderson — Special Counsel, Racing Victoria
• Susan Ahern — Barrister (Bar of Ireland & 33 Bedford Row), Arbitrator and former Head of Legal & Legislative Affairs of World Rugby
• Danielle Sharkey (Associate) & Darren Bailey (Consultant) - Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
• Tim O’Connor - Barrister, Bar of Ireland
• Tom Macken - Senior Associate, Bird & Bird LLP
• Stevie Loughrey - Partner, Onside Law
• Ben Cisneros - Associate, Morgan Sports Law

We hope that you enjoy the article. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or feedback.