Ahead of the 2022 test rugby season, Rugby Australia has announced Hearts in Rugby Union as the official charity partner of the Wallabies and Wallaroos.

The partnership will see 50/50 raffles ran at all tests during the eToro England series starting this coming weekend in Perth, with a focus on ensuring injured athletes who are suffering financial hardship receive support throughout their lives.

Hearts in Rugby Union general manager, Richard Tombs, said the charity, which was founded in 2007 by Rocky Mileto, who suffered a spinal cord injury while playing rugby, hopes to provide greater support for seriously injured athletes.

“Hearts in Rugby Union are extremely honoured, appreciative and grateful of Rugby Australia’s choice to be the Wallabies and Wallaroos official charity,” Tombs said.

“This partnership with Rugby Australia will help us to continue ‘helping rugby help it’s own’ with the needs of seriously injured rugby players and their families,” he said.

Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, said: “As a team, we’re proud to partner with Hearts in Rugby Union for the 2022 test season.”

“Tombsy and those in the organisation do a remarkable job supporting those in need and I’m sure the rugby community will dig deep to donate throughout the England series,” Hooper said.

The partnership comes as World Rugby recently announced a major change to its concussion return to play protocol, increasing the minimum number of days athletes must remain sidelined following a concussion.