| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update We have provided an update on the handling of positive Covid-19 cases by clubs and of current local lockdown restrictions. Handling positive Covid-19 cases  We are currently liaising with Public Health England (PHE) to seek additional clarity on the process and requirements for a club to follow in the event of a positive Covid-19 case within their club. In the case where a positive test is a player, providing all rugby activities that the player participated in were within RFU Return to Community Rugby and Stage D guidelines, then there is no requirement for other players to self-isolate. For any non-playing positive cases, e.g. spectators, the general Government guidance must be followed – see link below. Further information will be published in due course. In the meantime, following a positive test, a representative from the club should contact the local PHE centre to inform them of the development and seek further advice. Clubs should also ensure that they have an appropriate risk assessment in place and are operating within Government and RFU guidelines for all facility usage and rugby activity. To read the rest of the update click on the link. Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and updates here. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on this part of the website. Click here if you need to find a previous edition. |
RFU statement on Law Changes Update announced by HMG
| Law changes update |
| We wanted to update you on the law changes announced by the Government on Wednesday 9 September in relation to the ban on groups of more than six people meeting socially indoors and outdoors. Although social gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England from Monday 14 September, the Government has confirmed that organised sports and activities that have been through return to play protocols can continue. With the exception of clubs impacted by local lockdown restrictions, we remain at Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. The rugby community can continue to organise non-contact fixtures with other clubs using Ready4Rugby and other touch rugby activity. Limited and restricted contact rugby training can also be continued. Detail of the permitted training activity is available in the return to contact training guidance. Following feedback we are working to see whether guidance on numbers permitted on training areas can be increased to reflect the age of participants. Until we have secured approval for this clubs should follow current guidance of no more than 20 players per half pitch in training. RFU guidance as well as Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines must be followed. We have worked closely with the Government to gain approval to return to rugby activity and the recent progression to Stage D has been well received with lots of positive impact being reported by clubs. We will continue to have close dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to progress community rugby activity to the next stage on the roadmap and we will keep you advised of any updates. To read the rest of the update please click on the link |
RFU Coronavirus Update 8th September
| We have provided a link to an on demand webinar to help the rugby community manage Stage D activities. We’ve also shared some highlights from the successful NatWest RugbyForce weekend. RFU headlines  Local lockdown guidelines Clubs are reminded that the powers around local restrictions lie with their local authorities. We are advised that unless local restrictions specifically mention restrictions on team sports and/or rugby, clubs should follow the NGB guidelines. This includes the North West of England where some restrictions have now been lifted. To read the rest of the update click on the link Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and updates here. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on this part of the website. Click here if you need to find a previous edition. |
RFU Community Game Update – 1st September.
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update Please find below the thirty-eighth edition of our coronavirus (Covid-19) update. We have provided an update on the move to Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap and, as promised, the latest update (Tuesday 1 September) on adult and age-grade competitions. Community Rugby – moved to stage D  With the exception of clubs impacted by local lockdown restrictions, effective today, Tuesday 1 September, we have moved to Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. Clubs are now able to organise non-contact fixtures with other clubs using Ready4Rugby and other touch rugby activity. Limited and restricted contact rugby training is also now allowed. Varied training conditions will allow the return of tackling, lineouts and rucks, ensuring that players are prepared to perform these skills safely and effectively with some restrictions. Mauls, scrums, opposed lineouts or upright tackles are still not permissible as the transmission exposure risk remains high. Contact training sessions have to be carried out in small groups of no more than six players. Detail of the permitted training activity is available in the return to contact training guidance. To read the rest of the update please click on the link. Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and updates here. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on this part of the website. Click here if you need to find a previous edition. |
Community Rugby Roadmap to move to Phase D from 1st September
Clubs will be able to start limited and restricted contact rugby training and organise inter-club non-contact fixtures. This follows the reintroduction of intra-club non-contact rugby union activity at the beginning of August.
The reintroduction of limited contact training has been approved by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (‘DCMS’) and moves The Return to Community Rugby Roadmap from Stage C to Stage D.
The reinstatement of some contact activity is important to ensure players can continue to practice core skills and are able to start preparing and conditioning themselves appropriately as the game starts to return to normality with regular training and matches.
Varied training conditions will allow the return of tackling, lineouts and rucks, ensuring players are prepared to perform these skills safely and effectively with some restrictions. Mauls, scrums, opposed lineouts or upright tackles are still not permissible as the transmission exposure risk remains high. Contact training sessions have to be carried out in small groups of no more than six players.
Detail of the permitted training activity is available in the return to contact training guidance.
RFU Community Game Update – 25th August
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update Please find below the thirty-seventh edition of our coronavirus (Covid-19) update. We have provided a reminder that in September the NatWest Rugby Force weekend will take place on the 5th/6th, followed by the Pitch Up for Rugby weekend on the 12th/13th. We have also provided an update regarding the impact of various local restrictions on rugby activity. RFU headlines  Community Rugby – current position With the exception of clubs impacted by local lockdown restrictions, we remain at Stage C on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. The rugby community can, if they wish, recommence some larger group rugby activity, initially non-contact, subject to adherence with RFU guidance and also continuing to follow Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines. The return is initially through Ready4Rugby, a non-contact game, and other touch rugby activity (including O2 Touch). To read the rest of the update, click on the link Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and updates here. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on this part of the website. Click here if you need to find a previous edition. |
Return to Rugby Team Sport Risk Exposure Rationale – Video
A good explanation as to the process the game is following.
RFU Community Game – Covid 19 Update 18th August
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update |
| Please find below the thirty-sixth edition of our coronavirus (Covid-19) update. We have provided a reminder that we are at Stage C on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap, of our advice to clubs in local lockdown areas and that in September the NatWest Rugby Force weekend will take place on the 5th/6th, followed by the Pitch Up for Rugby weekend on the 12th/13th. There’s also a last call for the rugby community to take part in our Diversity and Inclusion Survey. We remain at Stage C on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. If they wish to, the rugby community can now recommence some larger group rugby activity, initially non-contact, subject to adherence with RFU guidance and also continuing to follow Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines. The return is initially through Ready4Rugby, a non-contact game, enabling two teams of up to 10 players to engage in training and match activity in their own club environment. Other touch rugby activity (including O2 Touch centres) will also be able to recommence.  To read the rest of the update please click on the link. Please visit our dedicated web portal on the England Rugby website to access coronavirus information and updates here. Past editions of these weekly updates can be found on this part of the website. Click here if you need to find a previous edition. |
RFU Community Game Update – August 2020
| Community Game Update – August 2020 Content |
| 1. Update on the return to community rugby 2. Join the NatWest Rugby Force and Pitch Up for Rugby events 3. Local lockdown guidance 4. Adult Male Future Competition Structure 5. Safeguarding update 6. Diversity and Inclusion – complete the survey 7. Register for an Eddie Jones webinar 8. Running your Club – Virtual Workshops – Sept to Nov 2020 9. 2020 Annual General Meeting – Draft Minutes 10. Share your Ready4Rugby stories and videos To read the full update click on the link |
Recommendations for adult male competition structure published
The RFU Future Competitions Structure Group has released a recommendation paper on the adult male competitions structure (English Club Championship Level 3 and below) for implementation in the 2021/22 season.
This follows engagement with the game over the last nine months and evidence collection. The RFU acknowledges that players are playing less games each season due to lifestyle reasons and modern day demands on time.
The paper recognises the significant opportunity for rugby to develop an optimal playing offer and structure that protects the future health of the adult male game, meets the needs of current and future players, balances quality of experience and player welfare needs and limits travel, while protecting the sustainability of clubs.
The proposals include reducing league sizes, introducing league break weekends, and organising leagues that minimise travel, all essential to meet the game’s needs. Player feedback has also highlighted the importance of knockout rugby. Click here to read the plan.
Feedback is welcomed ahead of the RFU Council decision on Friday 2 October 2020. Please click here to share your views. You can also access FAQs here.
Additional documents
For any queries, contact Competitions-Development@RFU.com
