Following the government’s announcement earlier this week about the lifting of restrictions, the RFU has since communicated progress in the community game.

Full contact 15-a-side friendly matches will be permitted from August 7, with the new season set to start as normal in September.

The RFU’s Return To Community Rugby Roadmap and return to scrummaging guidance must be followed at all times, ensuring playing safety is the main priority.

Please note that the Age Grade Summer Activity Framework remains in place for the off-season period (June-August).

This gives players an opportunity to re-engage with rugby throughout the summer and to safely build their readiness to play full contact rugby from September 4.

To support this, the Summer Activity Framework includes provision for friendly matches to be played under adapted contact laws from August 7, following a period of development in training sessions from July 19.

This enables scrums and mauls to be reintroduced in a controlled way in friendlies and helps players who have not yet played them, particularly at U14-U16, the chance to experience these key elements of full contact rugby.

For the RFU’s full announcement, please click HERE.