Premiership and Championship rugby clubs set for training resumption

Premiership Rugby and Championship clubs have been permitted to begin training in small groups after the Professional Rugby Board announced to move them to Stage 1: Elite Sport Return to Training Guidance.

Despite the move, the clubs will have to maintain strict social distancing apart from other guidelines that include Education Module which will inform a formal "opt in" process for return to training, appointment of both a Covid-19 Manager and Covid-19 Medical Lead, provision for PPE and regular cleaning and hygiene standards to be maintained at the training facility.

Apart from the mentioned guidelines, it is mandatory for the players, support staffs and medical staff to be screened on a daily basis before they enter the training facility.

"I can confirm that the Professional Game Board which incorporates representatives of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Premiership Rugby, Rugby Players Association (RPA) and Championship Clubs has given provisional authorisation for Premiership and Championship Rugby clubs to move to Stage 1: Elite Sport Return to Training Guidance.

"The clubs will need to satisfy a number of requirements to start Stage 1 as we continue the huge amount of work being undertaken to enable a safe return to training.

"The welfare of the players, management and staff is our only priority, and we look forward to the season resuming when it is safe to do so."

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Chris Boyd was delighted with the news and is looking forward to have a safe resumption of the game.

“Obviously, I am very pleased that we are now at the stage where we can meet all the necessary minimum standards to ensure we can return to Stage One of training.

“A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes at the club, involving the likes of Tony Rowe (Chief Executive), Chris Pickles (Stadium Operations Manager), Adrian Harris (Director of Medical Services), Jamie Fulton (Head of Medical Services), Mark Twiggs (Head of Strength & Conditioning), Tony Walker (Team Manager) and myself to ensure all of our players and staff will have the highest standards of care on their return

“Initially, all of our training will be carried out in an outdoor environment in small groups, after which we then review the situation and make the appropriate decisions based on the assessments and information we have at hand.”