THE return of full contact rugby – including scrums and mauls – has been confirmed by the RFU!

With the Government having confirmed the end of all social distancing rules from Monday, July 19, the sport’s leading body has followed suit.

Clubs can re-instate scrums and mauls in training from Monday and in matches from, and not before, Saturday, August 7.

It means the new season, which begins on September 4 with a trip to Cambridge, is set to start as normal for the whole community game.

However, the RFU added: “A minimum three-week preparation period of training sessions follows ahead of match play.

“Coaches are reminded they are responsible for working with all players to assess their physical readiness and technical competence before returning to scrummaging. Players may be at different levels of fitness and conditioning.

“Coaches must be satisfied players have undertaken sufficient technical preparation, skill refinement and reconditioning work before returning to full contact match play.

“Internal training games are allowed between Monday, July 19 and Saturday, August 7. Training games should include an incremental approach to scrummaging and coaches should rotate players every 20 minutes.

“Clubs should not return to match intensity full contact 15 a-side training games immediately.”

We look forward to welcoming the Ramily back to Old Bath Road for proper rugby in the months to come!