Following Government's announcement last week that outdoor team sport can resume from Wednesday 2nd December, the RFU is delighted to confirm that Government has approved a submission to return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations.

Further detail on these adaptations and associated laws will follow. However, they are briefly summarised below:
• There will be no scrums or mauls in the game
• 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 does this mean clubs can now do?
• Clubs can resume adapted training for 15-a-side contact rugby again from this Wednesday. Further detail to follow tomorrow.
• 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 detail to follow & further Government guidance is expected on travel, changing, spectators and clubhouses.

It may not be a switch back to "normal", but the positive is that we are moving that way! Rugby remains a game for ALL shapes & sizes and with a reduced number of laws THIS IS THE SEASON to get your boots (back) on and join one of our squads (senior, junior or mini; male or female)

We look forward to seeing you out on the pitches of Grove Park and eagerly anticipate welcoming you back in to the bar when Government guidelines allow.