RFU postpones start of competitive community rugby season in England

The Rugby Football Union has taken the decision to postpone the start of the community game season; this is due to worries surrounding the safety of pitches due to prolonged hot weather making them unsuitable for full-contact rugby

Friday 14 August 2026 17:26, UK

Image: The RFU, whose president is Sir Bill Beaumont, has delayed the start of the community game season

The RFU has postponed the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday September 21 due to "concerns about player welfare and pitch conditions".

The RFU had already contacted clubs, schools and colleges, players and coaches to remind them of the existence of guidance surrounding the management of rugby pitches in drought conditions and the Natural Turf Pitches (NTP) Surface Risk Assessment to assess whether a pitch is safe to use and to mitigate the risks of injury.

The prolonged dry weather in many parts of England has left many grounds across the country unsuitable for safe full-contact activity.

After gathering feedback from representatives across different regions and discussing the options within competition committees, the RFU has decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season nationwide.

Sir Bill Beaumont, president of the RFU, said: "We know this decision will be disappointing for the clubs, schools and colleges, players, volunteers and fans looking forward to the start of the season, and we do not underestimate the impact it will have across the game.

"This has been a carefully considered decision. After listening to views from across the community game and weighing up the options available to us, we believe that delaying the start of the competitive season nationwide is the right course of action.

"While we recognise that not everyone will agree with this decision, making it now provides greater certainty for clubs, schools and colleges as they prepare for the months ahead.

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"On behalf of everyone at the RFU, I would like to thank all those who have shared their views and contributed to discussions in recent days.

"Player welfare and readiness have been central to our thinking throughout, alongside our desire to give the season the best possible opportunity to begin on a fair and consistent footing across the country.

"We also wanted to provide clarity as early as possible to help the volunteers, staff and organisations who work so hard behind the scenes to plan and prepare for the season."

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