In what is an "extension of World Rugby’s commitment to boosting participation and further improving player safety", the new three-year partnership will help the federation offer education programmes to support coaches and the wider rugby community.   

For the next phase of the partnership, Setanta College and World Rugby are now focused on developing a pathway for coaches.

This will be structured with appropriate conditioning programmes for children up to age 12, youths aged between 13 to 16 and adult players.

Following the completion of this pathway, there will be an opportunity for coaches to transition into Setanta College’s broader educational offerings, right up to a masters degree in performance science. 

“Our mission is to grow the game throughout the world but it is also to make sure there is the highest level of player welfare for everyone who touches a rugby ball," said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont alongside Liam Hennessy, the founder of Setanta College.

"Education is a hugely important part of that and that is why we are delighted to have re-signed our agreement with Setanta College in areas of education, strength and conditioning and all these important aspects.”

Setanta College is a distance learning college, with a focus on sports courses.

The college is primarily web-based and has been popular among top-level and professional sporting individuals.