RUGBY IS BACK!

With the end of the second lockdown in sight, grassroots sport has been allowed to return across all tiers with effect from Wednesday 2 December. 

The RFU has confirmed that the UK Government has approved its submission to a return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations.

Further detail on the adaptations to the 15-a-side game and associated laws will follow. However, they will include:

• No scrums or mauls
• Where the game would restart with a scrum, this will be replaced with a free kick
• A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout

SEE SHORT RFU VIDEO HERE

What this means for rugby at Heath:

• Clubs can resume adapted training for 15-a-side contact rugby again from Wednesday 2 December. 
• Clubs can resume friendly fixtures from Friday 18 December - this is to allow players to prepare properly and safely, having not been training over the past month.
• Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby if they have matches coming up from 2 December to 18 December and beyond. There is no obligation to play adapted 15-a-side contact fixtures.

Further Government guidance is expected soon on travel, changing, spectators and clubhouses.