Exclusive: Grass-roots competitive rugby postponed until January 'at the earliest'

The RFU's governance committee met on Thursday and took their decision in light of Covid-19 restrictions - JULIAN SIMMONDS
The RFU's governance committee met on Thursday and took their decision in light of Covid-19 restrictions - JULIAN SIMMONDS

Grassroots rugby in England has been landed a devastating blow with news that the start of the league competitions in the new season has been delayed until January “at the earliest” because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The postponement includes all organised leagues – either RFU or non-RFU – including merit tables, adult or age grade competitions, with the exception being the Premiership, Championship and Premier 15s rugby.

The decision, which was taken by the Rugby Football Union’s governance committee on Thursday, will lead to growing fears about viability of many community clubs across England.

The RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney forecast on Tuesday that “without crowds and league games community rugby will lose an estimated £86m” in revenue this season following the government’s decision to extend the ban on supporters attending matches until next March.

Steve Grainger, in an interview with Telegraph Sport in May, said the governing body “would have significant concerns about the viability of some grassroots clubs if rugby doesn’t start until the New Year and they aren’t able to diversify their revenue streams.”

Impact analysis revealed community clubs faced loss of revenues of up to £70,000 over the summer months because of the impact to fundraising events because of the first Covid-19 lockdown, and those clubs already with significant debts faced financial challenges.

The governing body’s £7 million financial rescue package and the impact of Sport England grants and the government’s business rate relief and loans helped keep some clubs afloat but there are significant fears that without competitions and crowds the loss of revenue will force many clubs to go under.

The committee also agreed that any decision to suspend promotion and relegation for the 2020/21 season would be referred to the RFU council once the nature of any of the competitions is established.

Discussions about the Championship remain ongoing amid fears that the entire league may have to be ‘moth-balled’ because clubs cannot afford to play competitive matches without crowds.

It is understood the decision was taken to provide clubs with some certainty and they can continue to organise non-contact fixtures with other clubs using the using ‘Ready4Rugby’ and other touch rugby activity.

Limited and restricted contact rugby training is also permitted, while some clubs are seeing an increase in minis and juniors, with parents said to be keen for them to be involved in team sports.

Both the adult and age grade competitions committees in the RFU will be making recommendations to ensure that any competitions that may be permissible from January are ‘meaningful’ and could lead to a new structure for the remainder of the season.