League: NRL set to ban mobile phones in dressing rooms

NRL players such as Manu Vatuvei will not be allowed to use phones in the changing rooms if the NRL implement a new rule. Photo / Getty

The NRL is set to approve a mobile phone ban in dressing rooms to combat concerns over potential player contact with gamblers and betting agencies.

It comes following controversy about live broadcast footage showing injured players using mobiles during games.

AAP understands the ban will be tabled when the Australian Rugby League Commission meets on January 31 to discuss a raft of issues.

While the use of mobiles in dressing rooms may well be innocent - for example, an injured player might be contacting family to allay concerns - the perception has been an ongoing problem for the code.

Club doctors, football managers and two other designated personnel would be exempt from the proposed ban.

Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats is the first player to speak out on the ban, labelling the idea "stupid".

"Now how am I going to listen to music before the game? I think it's stupid, player doesn't come off injured & message some 1 to put a bet on," he tweeted.

The NRL is also likely to enforce a change to the traditional announcement of teams on Tuesdays, from a soft 17-man line-up to a strict 21-man squad.

Coaches will then be forced to announce two drop-offs ahead of their last training session, and the final 17-man line-up to be confirmed an hour before kickoff.

The move is designed to eliminate shock team changes that have the potential to disrupt betting patterns in the lead-up to a match.

-AAP