CORONAVIRUS ADVICE & SUPPORT

The RFU has developed a range of resources and information to help clubs affected by Coronavirus.

Return to Rugby Roadmap

From Thursday 5 November until Thursday 3 December all community team sports will be suspended. This restriction applies to all club Age Grade and Adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s.

Club rugby activity will return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap for the lockdown period. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least Wednesday 2 December. While group training sessions are banned, a maximum of two players can participate in socially distanced (two metres plus), individual training sessions outside without sharing equipment.

Rugby in School, Colleges & Universities

University rugby is subject to the same restrictions as our community clubs and will return to Stage A on the Return to Rugby Roadmap until Wednesday 2 December.

Schools and colleges are able to play rugby but must follow the DfE guidance for schools and further education settings.  Further clarification can be found here. In summary, this is:

  • Rugby can be played as part of the curriculum, i.e. in PE and games lessons, timetabled activity during the school day and as part of courses, such as BTEC Diplomas in Sport and GCSE/A-Level PE
  • No extra-curricular rugby clubs, training and activities (outside of the DfE guidance on childcare provision for parents) or inter-school/college matches are permitted
  • Activity must continue to be played to the RFU government-approved action plan, i.e. play the formats and follow off-field logistics as permitted before half term and lockdown (Ready4Rugby, O2Touch and limited contact training in approved group sizes)

We continue to encourage schools and colleges to provide rugby union for the health and wellbeing of their students during lockdown; in particular with community sport being unavailable. However, we also recognise that there are a large number of additional factors for Headteachers/Principals to consider and that it is ultimately their decision whether they can play in line with the government guidance.

Rugby Club Facilities

Whilst sport and leisure facilities must close during the lockdown period, clubhouses can remain open to provide take away, click and collect and food delivery services (no alcohol).  They may also be used in the following limited circumstances:

  • Education and training (including for schools to use sports and leisure facilities where that is part of their normal provision)
  • Childcare purposes and supervised activities for children, i.e.,  parent and baby sessions or play groups
  • Blood donations and food banks
  • To provide medical treatment, i.e., if being used for flu vaccines or mobile testing centres

Handling a positive coronavirus test

Following consultation with Public Health England, the RFU have produced overview guidance which explains the actions required by a club following a positive COVID-19 test. There is also extended guidance available for clubs who have a confirmed COVID-19 test case.

The RFU request that clubs submit notification of all positives tests with in a club (including retrospective cases). This information is requested to allow the RFU to monitor the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 test occurring in clubs and ensure the club has the appropriate support.

Clubs can do this by filling out the Positive Test Notification Form

More Information

For further resources and more detailed guidance, visit our Resources page and Helpdesk FAQs