Eccles RFC

Following the recent RFU STATEMENT delaying the start of RFU League fixtures due to concerns over national pitch conditions, and the subsequent regional anouncements by Lancashire RFU, the Impact North West Leagues and the MOTiQ North West Colts League, we are now able to provide club members with a clearer picture of what it means for Eccles RFC. 

PITCH RISK ASSESSMENT 

• The RFU directive only applies to RFU League Competitions, it does not cover local County Competitions. 
• If local conditions allow, non RFU League matches can be played to help prepare players for the competitive season. 
• Clubs are responsible for determining whether their pitches are playable and players are match ready. 
• Both teams and the match official must agree to proceed.
• Before going ahead, ALL adult and age grade matches, friendlies and training sessions, MUST complete the pitch risk assessment process laid out in the published RFU guidance.
• RFU Guidance here: https://www.lancashirerfu.com/news/lancashire-cup-competitions-to-commence
• RFU Pre-Session Pitch Risk Assement here: https://rfu.widen.net/s/npdj9lrzdx/risk-assessment-template---aug-26

MENS RUGBY

1XV 

• Subject to the club satisfying the RFU pitch risk assessment process, the men's 1XV Lancashire County John Burgess Cup first round tie, Eccles v Aldwinains, CAN be played at Eccles on Saturday 5th September, 3pm KO, as scheduled.  Cup Regulations can be found on the link.
• The Cup draw for the second round (Semi Finals) will take place on the evening of Saturday 5th September, with second round games taking place on either Saturday 12th September or Saturday 19th September, subject to agreement between the clubs and referee society.    
• The delayed RFU Counties 1 League fixture programme will commence on Saturday 26th September. The revised dates for the postponed games are now published on GMS (Saturday 10th October LSH Away. Saturday 27th February New Brighton Home). Please amend referee requests.
• Please refer to and record a RFU Pitch Risk Assessment before going ahead with any rugby activities.

2XV and 3XV

• The Impact North West League fixtures will commence on Saturday 26th September. The postponed fixutres will be slotted into the available weekends and the revised dates published on GMS in due course. 
• Please amend referee requests and please check the games carefully, if there are any problems please contact your opponents and League Secretary to arrange an alternative date BEFORE 30th August.
• The 5th, 12th, 19th September are now available to use as friendlies for training purposes. 
• Please refer to and record a RFU Pitch Risk Assessment before going ahead with any rugby activities.

WOMENS RUGBY 

• The first RFU WNC2 League fixture will be Sunday 27th September.  
• Before then, consider using earlier dates in September for non‑contact "friendly" training sessions, perhaps T1 Rugby to help prepare players for the competitive season. 
• Please refer to and record a RFU Pitch Risk Assessment before going ahead with any rugby activities.

COLTS RUGBY 

• The first preliminary fixture will be Sunday 27th September, followed by the Cup, then into Conference Leagues as per schedule.
• Clubs are encouraged to use their original prelim fixture dates in September for non‑contact "friendly" training sessions, perhaps T1 Rugby to help prepare the players for the competitive season. 
• Please refer to and record a RFU Pitch Risk Assessment before going ahead with any rugby activities.

AGE GRADE RUGBY 

• We do not anticipate any competitive Age Grade rugby going ahead until October.  
• Before then, consider using earlier dates in September for non‑contact "friendly" training sessions, perhaps T1 Rugby to help prepare players for the competitive season. 
• Please refer to and record a RFU Pitch Risk Assessment before going ahead with any rugby activities.

COACH REFERENCES