RETURN TO RUGBY!

A comment from our Director of Rugby - Mike Armagon

I think I speak for all coaches, players and supporters when I say the club was delighted when it was announced rugby was returning, in line with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. It feels like a lifetime ago since we were last able to play a proper full contact 15-a-side match and I know we are all raring to get back on the pitch with our friends and teammates. I’m so proud of how our members have navigated lockdown, supporting each other whilst we’ve counted down the days before we can pull on our boots again… this must go down as the longest pre-season in history!

Whilst we welcome the return to training we also remain mindful that the sport has a responsibility, to players and society as a whole, to keep participants safe by mitigating any chance of spreading Covid. We must trust in the RFU and the framework they have created to allow us to train and play in a safe environment.

As coaches we also have the added concern of player welfare when returning to contact. The increased risk of injury after such a long period of rugby inactivity is at the forefront of our minds - player safety and injury prevention must always be paramount.

In the last 12 months the world has changed beyond all comprehension and rugby has also changed. Adapted training and playing practices must be embraced, but more importantly we must all continue to show patience if we are to get back to enjoying the game we know and love as quickly as possible.

Never have rugby’s core values been more relevant on and off the field - Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. I look forward to seeing you all back on the pitch!