Grassroot rugby set to return at end of March

GRASSROOTS rugby in England is set to return at the end of the month.

A statement from the RFU states: “Following the government’s announcement that organised outdoor sport can resume from March 29, the RFU has published a new ‘Return to Community Rugby Roadmap’.

“The roadmap summarises the plan for a phased return to full contact rugby, subject to each step on the government roadmap being met.”

A six-stage process has been created by the governing body to guide grassroots players and coaches through the process of returning to play, with graduated levels of contact leading to full contact training in June.

While this season’s competitive leagues have been cancelled, clubs will be free to organise friendlies during the summer months.

“As long as Covid-19 infection rates are kept under control, all adult and age grade competitions are expected to start in September, as normal, under full laws,” said the statement.

“As of 29 March, community rugby clubs may hold contact training sessions, excluding scrums and mauls, and host Ready4Rugby (non-contact), touch and tag rugby matches between clubs. This applies to adult and age-grade players.

“Contact should be built incrementally and RFU guidance states that training sessions should not exceed 20 minutes of contact at this stage.”

“After four weeks of contact training to enable players to build fitness levels and condition themselves physically, matches with adapted laws (no scrums or mauls) will be permitted against other clubs from April 26 (Stage D2 on the roadmap).

“It will be clubs’ and players’ individual choice as to whether they play adapted contact or continue with touch or tag.”

Full contact training is forecast to return in June, provided the UK government meet their scheduled re-opening criteria.

RFU rugby development director, Steve Grainger said: “This is fantastic news for the community game.”