Return to rugby is a step closer
Blues can step up coaching, but no contact allowed
NEWBURY Blues head coach Paul Archer has welcomed the RFU’s decision to move on to the next phase on the Return to Rugby Roadmap.
As a result of the recent announcement, it now means Blues – and teams around the country – can train in bigger groups, as well as playing internal club games.
These games can be 10-aside, but no contact is allowed to be made so touch rugby will be played at the club.
Speaking after the news, Archer said: “Everyone who is involved in the game could see there was a disconnect to the stage we’re at and the stage of returning to play.
“Nothing much has changed as I don’t think we’ll be playing games in the short-term, but in this stage C there has been a lot of clarifications as to what it means.
“It enables us to play competitive games within the club without the contact, and although it’s all difficult to deal with, it’s a welcome step forward.
“It has come at the right time for us because we have been back for eight weeks and it will help us to move on.”
Although it means training can be adjusted for Archer and his coaching squad, it’s important to understand the rules and regulations.
“The RFU have set boundaries at what things have to look like, but we’re a long way from a game of rugby that we’re used to.
“We still have to be careful and clear that there is no contact involved at all, within reason, and the RFU gave a presentation about the risks involved,” he said.
Despite not being able to have any contact in the training sessions, Archer is happy his side can look to new aims and objectives over the coming weeks.
He said: “It is now up to us as a coaching team to set new challenges and it takes us out of the small groups, and into the game situation with more interactions.
“It looks more like the game we know, but it still leaves us as a coaching team to be more creative with the sessions we deliver to make sure everyone is in the best possible space.”
When the provisional fixtures were released last month for South West 1 East, Blues were due to open their campaign at Marlborough on September 5, but that starting date is now highly unlikely.