Rugby union
Cautious return for schools’ rugby
Schools’ rugby has been given a boost after the government approved its submission to a return to 15-a-side contact rugby - with some adaptations.
But there is still some way to go before one of schools’ most traditional games can return to normal.
Fifteen-a-side training and fixtures were given the green light to continue just before Christmas as long as certain changes were made.
These include no scrums or mauls and, where the game 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 also required to form a lineout.
Unfortunately, the news came too late to prevent the cancellation of
the prestigious RFU U15 and U18 Schools’ Rugby Cups and the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U14 Cup.
It also followed a disappointing year that started with the cancellation of the 2020 U15 and U18 cup finals at Twickenham.
But schools’ rugby bosses have been working hard behind the scenes to adapt to the new Covid- 19 regime – and are hoping that the exciting sevens season may be able to take place, including the Rosslyn Park Sevens tournament in March.
Mark Lowe is the secretary of England Rugby Schools and also sits on the organising committee of the Rosslyn Park Sevens.
“What a strange time it has been,” he admits. “Physical meetings replaced by virtual meetings, physical sport replaced by virtual
sport and now modified sport to enable sport to return in schools.
“As we now look forward to contact rugby returning in its temporary new form, uncertainty still remains as to what will be permitted by school management teams. Will schools still only be allowed to play intra school sports or will inter school activity be permitted?
“Whatever happens, it will not be a return to normal school fixtures with the hospitality provided and friendships formed.
“Consideration has to be given to maximise rugby participation not only in schools, but also in clubs who have also suffered. With both communities desperate to provide a rugby experience before the term or season ends, we must ensure that the needs of the player are paramount.
10 SCHOOL SPORT Issue No.81 January/February/March 2021
“Also, in a school setting consideration has to be given to ensure that other traditional spring term sports are not compromised.
“It is still too early to tell what will happen to the traditional rugby school sevens season. Will schools be allowed to attend the larger events, or will they focus on local festivals with minimal travel and varied formats of the game to maximise participation?
“We are really working hard as a group of national organisations (RFU, ERFSU, Schools Associations and Youth Sport Trust) to find answers and solutions to the questions and issues posed, and to stay connected with the school rugby network.
“As for the traditional school summer tours my crystal ball won’t let me see that far ahead unfortunately.”
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