The Lions work with the PRA to finalise the 2009 Lions player arrangements

The details were negotiated with Damian Hopley, CEO of the Professional Rugby Players Association, and Chairman of the International Rugby Players Association. The players representative Associations in each of the countries nominated Damian to negotiate on their behalf with The British & Irish Lions to protect the players interests.

These details covered included a wide variety of areas from sponsorship and commercial rights, to salary and insurance matters. In particular a great deal of attention was paid to player welfare issues. Both the PRA and the British & Irish Lions are agreed that player welfare is extremely important, and as such, the Lions management will be bringing with them the largest ever medical and fitness teams on the tour. This team will deal with every aspect of the players welfare including fitness, nutrition, injury, and recovery.

On finalising the contracts Hopley said "We undertook a comprehensive review of previous British and Irish Lions playing contracts and are confident that the 2009 tour will provide the best possible support for those players fortunate enough to be selected. On behalf of all the professional players in the Home Unions we wish Gerald, Ian and all the 2009 British and Irish Lions the very best of luck for what promises to be an outstanding series in South Africa."