Matches off! Community rugby halted again in new lockdown rules

The return to rugby has been stopped in its tracks.
By Steve Bone
Published 5th Jan 2021, 09:38 GMT
Updated 5th Jan 2021, 09:51 GMT
Rugby players are out of action againRugby players are out of action again
Rugby players are out of action again

The government's new national lockdown rules mean only elite-level rugby can continue - and that will be behind closed doors.

Anything below that will have to cease - a blow to the local clubs who felt they were making progess on the 'return to rugby' roadmap and had started to be allowed to stage 15-a-side matches again, albeit without scrums and mauls.

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Clubs were allowed to stage games from a week before Christmas and many had planned a series of matches this month to ease players back into action. But they will now have to wait - again.

England Rugby tweeted: "In line with tonight’s government announcement all community rugby activity must now be suspended. Further information will follow so please check http://englandrugby.com/coronavirus for the latest advice over the coming days."