Clubs given go-ahead to play again - but with no scrums or mauls

RUGBY clubs have been given the go-ahead to return to 15-a-side contact rugby - with some adaptations.

Among the changes are that there will be no scrums or mauls in the game

Instead of a scrum, the game will begin with a free kick. This free kick cannot be taken quickly.

A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout.

A team awarded a penalty or free kick will no longer be able to choose a scrum option.

A team awarded a penalty or free kick at a lineout can instead choose another lineout at the same mark.

Clubs were allowed to resume adapted training for 15-a-side contact rugby from yesterday, and they can resume friendly fixtures from

Friday, December 18.

By using law variations, this will limit the risk of prolonged face-toface contact, allowing the community game to resume (everything below the Greene King IPA Championship and Allianz Premier 15s).

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger said: “In recent months, we have received growing support from clubs and players in favour of adaptations, with law variations preferable to the option of no rugby at all. This is wonderful news for community clubs, their volunteers, players and supporters around the country, who can now look forward to playing contact rugby for the first time since March.

Meanwhile, National One and Two clubs, including Cinderford, are set to play in a cup competition, possibly from January.

Phase one will consist of regionalbased leagues of around six clubs who will play home and away and phase two is based on the positions in the leagues, clubs will be split into cup, plate and bowl, matches to be played on a knockout basis to determine the three winners.

There could be the possibility of the finals being at Twickenham.