Following Government approval for the return to competitive grassroots
rugby, this document provides guidance for players, clubs, coaches, match officials, volunteers, first aiders and spectators taking part in both adult and age grade rugby.

The game can now move from Stage B to Stage C on the RFU’s Return to Community Rugby Roadmap Contact Rugby is NOT permitted at Stage C - full contact match play will only return when we reach Stage F on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap.

The RFU continues to take a phased approach to enable a safe return to grassroots rugby training and match play, initially through an adapted non-contact form of the game.

Stage C will focus on Ready4Rugby, a non-contact game, enabling two teams of up to 10 players to engage in training and match activity in their own club environment. Other Touch Rugby activity (including O2Touch centres) can also recommence. Further guidance on these formats can be found here: Ready4Rugby and Touch Rugby.

Those with underlying health conditions, who may be at greater risk from Covid-19, should consider the transmission risk in group activity and decide whether to return to rugby. There is no pressure for anyone to come back to training, playing, coaching or match officiating. The UK Government social distancing guidance should be adhered to where applicable. All attendees must abide by social distancing measures, except during permitted training activity and matches, keeping a 2m distance between themselves and others where reasonably practical in and out of the sporting environment. Social distancing guidance for England can be found here.

It is expected that clubs will draw up their own detailed protocols of behaviour in line with the RFU’s core values and guidance detailed below in order to maintain the integrity of our sport and ensure Covid-19 adaptations are adhered to.