Full contact training delayed for community game

Despite the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) best efforts to secure approval, the government has not given permission for scrums and mauls to be re-instated from May 17th.

It means all National League Rugby clubs – as well as those teams below our divisions – will remain at Stage D2 on the RFU’s Rugby Roadmap which states contact training (excluding scrums and mauls) and 15-a-side adapted laws matches may continue.

After a number of our teams returned to action last weekend, it will be seen as a frustrating setback but the RFU and the NCA understands the issue that government and Public Health England (PHE) face with growing concerns around the Indian variant of Covid-19 in England.

For now, the RFU remains in close contact with government and continues to press for progression to Stage E1, and therefore a move to full contact training, as soon as health guidance suggests this is possible.