Union founder Hopley steps down

DAMIAN HOPLEY will step down as the Rugby Players Association chief executive before next season.

The RPA announced the former England centre’s departure from the role after spending 24 years at the organisation that he founded. Hopley, 52, won three caps for England and was a member of the 1995 World Cup squad in South Africa. Having been forced to retire from the game because of injury at the age of 27, Hopley (right) then launched the union in August 1998. ‘As the face of the RPA, he has led us through a remarkable period of development, establishing the RPA as a leading player representation organisation in sport,’ the

RPA said. Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor paid tribute to Hopley, saying: ‘Damian has been one of the founding fathers of the professional era and has made a huge contribution to the game.’