England players and all RFU personnel served with blanket ban on betting in rugby The IRB regulation also forbids the sharing of "any inside/confidential information about a rugby match, acquired by virtue of your position, with any third party (including a spouse, family member, friend,) for betting purposes." As well as applying to all RFU personnel, the IRB regulation also applies to England players, and "everybody involved with the professional and semi-professional game" including match officials, coaches and owners and directors of clubs. The RFU says it is liaising with the IRB, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Players" Association and other stakeholders to develop "a long-term strategy for increasing awareness and understanding of the IRB regulations in this area." The IRB is already involved in a number of working parties within the International Olympic Committee, Sport Accord and the European Union expert group to combat match fixing in sport. "Match fixing and corruption is a threat to all sports and while there is no history of prevalence in rugby, it is important that we continue to review our regulations to ensure that they are fit for purpose in safeguarding the rugby community from such threats," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset. As custodians of the game, it is the responsibility of the IRB and its member unions to protect and promote the integrity of our sport through the delivery of robust regulations.