Along with the other England Rugby courses for coaches, referees and volunteers, there are a number of player welfare specific courses. They’re accessible for all and relevant for people with different roles. They aim to help you build understanding of your responsibilities and develop your knowledge of different player welfare topics.
HEADCASE eLearning modules
HEADCASE Concussion Awareness eLearning Modules
In this course you will learn what concussion is, how it looks and how it feels. You will look at concussion prevention strategies, best practice concussion management and why it is important that this is followed.
By the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of concussion and how YOU have a vital role to play in protecting player welfare.
There are six different versions of the HEADCASE eLearning modules based on your primary role in rugby union.
- Coaches and Teachers of Age Grade Players
- Parents and Guardians of Age Grade Players
- Age Grade Players (U13 – U18)
- Coaches of Adult Players
- Adult Players
- Match Officials
All versions of the HEADCASE eLearning module were published in April 2024 and is aligned with the UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport (published by the UK Government April 2023). Although developed for rugby union, the information can be applied to concussions occurring in any sport and non-sporting environment.
Recommend Minimum Age: 16 years old except for, Age Grade Players: 12 years old and Match Officials: 14 years old
Duration: 30 mins
When: All Year
Cost: Free
Click here to access the HEADCASE eLearning modules via the Game Management System
If you DO NOT have an RFU login or ID and/or DO NOT require the course to be recognised on your personal RFU GMS profile as a prerequisite for a training course, then access the most appropriate course below.
- Coaches and Teachers of Age Grade Players
- Parents and Guardians of Age Grade Players
- Age Grade Players (U13 – U18)
- Coaches of Adult Players
- Adult Players
- Match Officials
Activate – Injury Prevention Programme eLearning Module
This eLearning course explains what Activate is, how it can used within training sessions and as part of match-day preparations to improve a players ability to deal with the game’s physical demands, reducing the risk of concussion and other injuries, meaning more players available.
Minimum Age: 14
Duration: 30 mins
When: All Year
Cost: Free
Emergency First Aid & Immediate Care Training
Provides information on first aid training including the Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union (EFARU) course, and other relevant qualifications that are accepted and recognised for EFAs covering rugby activity.
EFARU Course Details for 2024-25 season:
Duration: One Day (6.5 hours) or Split Course (2 x 3 hours)
Price: £55 per person
Minimum Learner Age: 18 years old
A club, school, college or university can organise an EFARU course. To do so, visit
the EFARU tutor map and following the process within the EFARU course booking chart.
To attend the course, an e-learning pre-course module must be completed.
To run a course a min. of 8 learners is required, with a max. of 12. Where clubs don’t have the min. numbers, the course can be opened up to other clubs/members of the public.
Visit the England Rugby Course Booking Page for available places.
Download Emergency First Aid & Immediate Care Training .pdf
To book on a course click here
PHICIS Level 2 Course
The RFU’s Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 2 course is a rugby union specific course that covers the immediate care training needs of healthcare professionals working within rugby.
It is aimed at those HCPs/Allied HCPs working in the community game (Level 3 league teams and below and CB representative rugby). Level 2 accreditation lasts for two years.
To check availability of PHICIS Level 2 course places and/or to book a place visit the England Rugby Course Booking Page.
Send enquiries or questions to phicis@rfu.com
PHICIS Level 2 Course Dates 2024/25
To book on a course click here
PHICIS Level 3 Course
The RFU’s Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 3 course is a requirement for those HCPs/Allied HCPs working within professional rugby, including the Premiership, the Championship and with national teams.
The PHICIS Level 3 course is valid for 2 years and an example of the PHICIS Level 3 training cycle is:
| 1st August 2023 – 31st July 2024 | 1st August 2024 – 31st July 2025 | 1st August 2025 – 31st July 2026 | 1st August 2026 – 31st July 2027 |
| 2-day course Book at RFU |
In-house assessment | 2-day course Book at RFU |
In-house assessment |
PGB Medical Minimum Standards for the Premiership and Championship require candidates during the interim season to undertake in-house training consisting of simulation practice and assessment with a PHICIS instructor.
If you are not working in elite rugby you do not need to complete the in-house assessment.
Whilst in rugby union we accept the completion of a course or in-house assessment at any point ‘in-season’ as valid, please be aware that some sports governing bodies do take expiry of the qualification from exact course dates.
To check availability of PHICIS Level 3 course places and/or to book a place visit the England Rugby Course Booking Page.
For more information please contact phicis@rfu.com
