World Rugby and the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation enjoyed a week of productive meetings in Dublin

World Rugby and the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) have reaffirmed their commitment to close collaboration after a week of meetings in Dublin.

Alongside the meetings at World Rugby House, strategic workshops were held for the federations, who signed a memorandum of understanding in 2010 to work together on matters of mutual interest.

The meetings allowed WR and the IWRF to review the memorandum of understanding and identify strategic opportunities for the sports.

Across the week, the IWRF delegation met representatives from the development, competitions, technical services, high performance, finance and communications teams to gather information and consider opportunities for closer cooperation.

Among those opportunities were identifying focused anti-doping services, raising profile and stakeholder engagement via social media approach and closer collaboration regarding wheelchair rugby inclusion at multi-sport games.

International Wheelchair Rugby Federation President Richard Allcroft hailed the meetings a success ©Getty Images
International Wheelchair Rugby Federation President Richard Allcroft hailed the meetings a success ©Getty Images

Wheelchair rugby activities are being planned to coincide with this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan – the home nation of the 2018 IWRF world champions – and wheelchair rugby will feature at the World Games for the first time in 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "We are delighted to be hosting our friends from the Board and committees of the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation. 

"There is a strong bond and collaboration between the federations and during the week we discussed furthering our relationship and collaborating on areas of mutual interest.

"Rugby is a sport for all and both federations are committed to inclusivity at all levels. 

"In a Rugby World Cup year, closely followed by what promises to be very successful editions of the Olympic and Paralympic Games at Tokyo 2020, we are delighted to be partnering with the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation to cross-promote two dynamic, exciting sports when the eyes of the world are on Japan."

IWRF President Richard Allcroft said: "This week we have been devising our strategies for the next five years. 

"Being able to do that with our partner World Rugby has been invaluable and I look forward to sharing more with our membership over the coming weeks."