The 2nd October is when the RFU will sit in judgement of Covid 19 facts and reach a verdict on the vital questions - Can competitive grassroots rugby commence on Saturday 7th November?

We all live in hope for a positive decision given that all clubs are now gearing up training schedules. Rugby it seems will be one of the last team sports to get back to some stage of normality for fairly obvious reasons. This has led to speculation and a consensus amongst many observers that a restart will not be possible until January.

By coincidence the verdict will be announced on an important anniversary. On October 2nd 1909 the first rugby union match was played at Twickenham, the home of English Rugby. For the record Harlequins beat Richmond 14:10 but not without incident, with young referee Craig MacFadzean disallowing a late Richmond try in the corner, claiming that from the half way line he could not be expected to see the ball grounded*.

[*Apologies Craig - best wishes from all at Aspatria on your retirement]