Return of Restart Round

Restart Round is returning this December with a round of Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Rugby Players Association’s official charity.

This season, Round Eight of fixtures from December 1-3 will form Restart Round.

Included in this will be Bath’s home clash against Exeter on Saturday where the charity will feature across game-day activities.

Alongside this, each Gallagher Premiership Rugby club will help raise funds by hosting auctions and raffles that fans can get involved in.

Bath’s Josh Mcnally, who is a Restart Ambassador for this season, said: “Restart provides a lifeline to players during their darkest times. The charity supports players faced with serious injury or illness.

“Knowing that Restart is there for you should you need their support is so important.

“Help Restart continue to support players and their families when they need it – get behind Restart Round 2023.”

Restart is the official charity of the RPA, dedicated to supporting professional rugby players suffering from serious injury, illness or hardship.

The charity provides financial and practical support to players and their families during difficult times.

Restart’s mental health services include the charity paying for a confidential helpline as a first touch point for any of its players, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and accessible from anywhere in the country.

The service then offers further access to a trained professional who will be able to provide the support and help needed.

Restart also provides tailored support by funding clinical treatment sessions with counsellors specialised in different areas of mental health and wellbeing either over the phone or face to face.

Former Sale, and Northampton lock Christian Day, who is now general secretary at The RPA, said: “In light of the challenges surrounding the sport off the pitch in recent years, the need for further mental health support has proven to be essential.

“Rugby players are people too, and despite the honour of being able to represent their clubs or nations on the greatest stage, there is real importance in placing mental wellbeing first.

“We wanted to dedicate this year’s Restart Round to highlighting the important of mental wellbeing and stress, that the services are there for current and former players to use as and when they need. Mental Health support is available to all RPA members should they ever need it.”

Restart has also been announced at the official charity partner of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2024 on 8 June at Twickenham Stadium.

If you’d like to learn more about Restart, or to donate, visit www. restartrugby.org.uk.