Rugby activities return to Eccles RFC from today. To prepare our players for the return of contact rugby we propose to align the club with the published RFU return to rugby road map and advance to 'STAGE E’.
'Stage E' permits ‘increased contact training’ and introduces new law variations to the game to reduce the risks of face-to-face close contact exposure to allow progression to adapted contact matches. In the new law variations there will be no Mauls or Scrums and players must not bind onto the ball carrier.
'Stage E' also allows the recommencement of Tag Rugby for U7s and U8s and there are adapted rules for Age Grade Rugby U7-U13, U14-U18 (guidance on which has been shared with coaches).
More details can be found on these links RFU RETURN TO RUGBY COVID19 LAW VARIATIONS FACT SHEET
'Stage E' permits local friendly contact fixtures under law variations from 18th December 2020 onwards. On Saturday 19th December we propose to host an intra-club senior mens friendly between two equally matched Eccles teams, observing the new law variations in a 60 minute game. On Sunday 20th December, subject to squad numbers, our age-grade teams will have the opportunity to play in similar competitive games in order to familiarise themselves with the new rules.
On Saturday 26th December, Boxing Day, we propose to host the traditional Christmas fund raiser event at Eccles RFC.
With player commitment, we hope to put on a curtain raiser game Eccles v Eccles in aid of a deserving cause, which would be followed by a competitive fixture featuring an Eccles President's XV vs Invitational XV.
We believe this move forwards to contact rugby will give the club a much needed boost as we head towards the end of what's been a difficult year.
Although the tier 3 hospitality restrictions currently prevent us from opening the clubhouse to provide refreshments, we remain hopeful this situation will soon change. In the meantime a Sunday morning takeaway service will resume.
More details on all these plans will follow. Please continue to follow Eccles on social media for regular updates.
