The Welsh Rugby Players' Association (WRPA) is a not-for-profit registered trade union founded in 2003.  It is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players' in Wales.  

The membership of the WRPA is made up of Wales’s current rugby players' who play for the four professional regions; the Blues, the Scarlets, the Ospreys and the Dragons.  Membership also includes Wales 7’s, Alumni members (made up of former regional members) and current Welsh Internationals who play outside of Wales.

The WRPA was established at a time when the game was in state of flux and the then nine professional clubs were reduced to five regional teams.  It was the realisation that the professional game was changing forever that drove the leading Players at the time to look at ways to protect themselves and their fellow players'. The WRPA’s first major task was to negotiate with the WRU to establish a proper rugby related insurance scheme to benefit all professional Players in Wales.

The WRPA has since evolved and continues to evolve with the purpose of protecting and representing all the needs and interests of its members.  These interests include both rugby related and personal matters and you can find out more by perusing this website.
As an overview, these include: 

Rugby

• collective representation on employment issues and representing individual Players through any employment disputes
• collective representation on Player Insurance issues and representing individual players with their claims
• updating members on developments in relevant areas of  law (e.g. tax, image rights and employment)
• developing a financial benefits package for all members
• monitoring anti-doping and betting integrity programmes

Personnel

• facilitating cost effective and good quality professional advice (lawyers, accountants and IFAs)
• providing advice, guidance and support on non-rugby development through the Player Development Programme
• financial education of members
• providing a members’ affinity programme
• promoting personal well-being and health

Mission Statement

"To promote and protect the interest of the professional players in Wales"

The Purpose and Objectives of the WRPA are?

• safeguard the rights of players.
• provide all our members with representation at the highest level of the game.
• regulate industrial relations.
• work with the Welsh Rugby Union and Regions to progress the game in Wales.
• protect, promote and represent the interests of our members.
• establish, improve and maintain conditions of employment.
• negotiate and promote settlement of disputes.
• provide legal advice and assistance in issues relating to members employment.
• provide welfare programmes for Players who suffer injury.
• provide financial and other assistance to our members.
• assist with and offer advice on career and educational training.
• provide a united voice and body through which all members can express their views concerning their well-being and to protect and enhance their interests on both an individual and collective basis.