Aiming to find artificial answer to question of the perfect pitch

PONTYPRIDD’S Welsh Cup semi-final against Merthyr has caused a huge stir not just in Welsh rugby, but in the world of artificial pitches.

Gradually, 3G pitches have become commonplace in grassroots rugby over the past decade or two, but the debacle at Sardis Road last weekend — when seven players came away with near third degree burns — has thrown up a debate about their use.

Normally, the pitches are perfectly safe and their introduction has prevented mud-baths, flooded pitches and postponements.

With artificial pitches used across Wales in the Principality Premiership, as well as the majority of Welsh Premier League football clubs, we explain what they are and when they can cause injury. What is a 3G pitch? 3G (third generation) pitches came in to replace the old sand-based 2G pitches at the turn of the millenium. There is no such thing as a ‘4G’ pitch, as recognised by the artificial pitch industry.

Companies sometimes market their pitches as ‘4G’ or even ‘5G’, but the 3G pitch which is in use at Sardis Road and other rugby grounds like Cardiff Arms Park and Saracens’ Allianz Park is the best available at the moment.

The longer strands of artificial grass give it a more natural appearance and feel and it’s usually fitted with a drainage system and underlying shock-absorbing surface.

The pitches became very popular for five aside football before coming into wider use in 11-aside soccer and rugby. Scottish Premiership sides Kilmarnock and Hamilton have recently installed 3G pitches, though Football League regulations have prohibited them.

3G pitches usually cost around £500,000 to install. A normal feature of a 3G pitch is the ‘rubber crumb’, thousands of black rubber pellets scattered on the green surface.

The rubber is usually made from recycled tyres and helps replicate the characteristics of grass, cushioning players’ falls. muscles and joints during training and matches to prevent injury and strain.

“It’s important to keep a 3G fake grass pitch in top condition by regularly redistributing the rubber infill and topping it up if it becomes low, this will maintain good playing qualities and prevent the turf from becoming slippery.”

Another study, by Fuller Et Al in 2010, concluded that “there were no clear differences in the incidence, severity or injury burden of injuries between matches played on artificial and grass surfaces.”

Another concern has been whether the rubber crumbs themselves are safe. But the US Environmental Agency, among others, has concluded the rubber isn’t harmful whatsoever.