Rugby set to restart at the end of May

WESTCOUNTRY rugby clubs, below the Championship, are hoping that they could be playing again at the end of May, providing there are no upswings in the Covid-19 figures.

A detailed calendar published on March 5 outlines the route towards a return to normal fixtures, starting with a return to training on March 29.

That would be training without mauls or scrums, though, with contact built incrementally. RFU guidance also states that training sessions should not exceed 20 minutes of contact at this stage.

The second major step forward would be on April 26 when matches would be allowed to be played under the adapted laws.

For step three, on May 17, it is anticipated that clubs and players can return to full contact training, assuming that step three of the goverjment’s roadmap is implemented.

On May 31, full contact matches will be allowed to be played, provided step three of the government’s road map has been implemented, and it is hoped that all restructions will end on June 21, in line with the goverment’s roadmap out of covid restrictions.

There are still some caveats dependent on the control of the virus, but clubs can look forward with genuine optimism now towards the return of competitive rugby at levels three and four.

Speaking on the latest episode of NCA Rugby Chats, Chairman John Inverdale said: “This is light at the end of the tunnel.

“In three weeks time or so, rugby clubs can be alive again which is the key thing. March 29 and April 26 are dates that are set in stone.

“On the May 31, full-contact matches could be able to be staged for the first time. That is an opportune day for a lot of clubs to plan something for that Monday. You can imagine a glorious, early summer’s day, a packed rugby club, loads of people there, money over the bar and a sense of a new dawn breaking.

“If all things go according to plan, all restrictions will be lifted on June 21. If nothing happens untoward in the intervening period, we then get to July in pre-season training, and then we are off and running into September.”

RFU Rugby Development Director, Steve Grainger added: “This is fantastic news for the community game and we are pleased to be able to publish our plan for a phased return to full contact rugby.

“It’s wonderful to see light at the end of the tunnel and we are as delighted as clubs and players across the country that they will soon be able to resume training and progress towards an exciting season of rugby for 2021/22 from September.”