The Rugby Football Union can confirm the Government has today approved their submission to a return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations.
This follows the Government’s announcement last week that outdoor team sport can resume from Wednesday 2 December.
Further detail on the adaptations to the 15-a-side game and associated laws will follow. However, they are briefly summarised below:
- 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
WHAT CAN CLUBS NOW DO?
- 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 on travel, changing, spectators and clubhouses. The RFU will work to interpret Government information and will provide a detailed briefing.