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At this stage I cannot see rugby before Christmas.

If we need four weeks at C, D and E then a couple of weeks of pre-season matches we might start the league in january.

banana

We don't need four weeks between each stage except from E to F, to ensure  players have a month of proper contact training before playing a match.

I'm with you two, always thought the best we could hope for would be a January re-start unless a vaccine is found. 

 

Should be a comfortable win for Guernsey as they are two leagues higher and at home but it is good to see at least some rugby being played. St Jacques Vikings also have a game later in the day against a Douglas development side per reports. 

 

There are also U14s-U18s games this Sunday in the IoM involving the Isle of Man and Guernsey Ccubs which I will be heading down to as it has been a long time since I have been able to watch a game at any level live with a beer in hand.

 

I do agree with Fudgepacker and I cannot see, that apart from some local interclub games in the Island, I am going to see any league rugby this year at the lower levels. That is a lot of excuses I need to find for avoiding shopping with the wife or doing bits around the house on a Saturday afternoon. 

 

 

 

 

 

Local lockdowns are the worst scenario as a club could have some players free to play and others not. Or some teams in a league could be allowed to play and others not. Hopefully we will get some Rugby in post Christmas but I think it should be on a "friendly" basis with no relegation/promotion this season 

 

Firstly, Douglas have stated that the withdrawal of Travel Funding will leave them  short by a tune of circa £40K should they have to complete a full season so maybe a half-season or less will suit them but won't make the problem go away. Secondly the other IoM Clubs will be playing each other I guess as none of them appeared in the RFU League structure for 20/21.

 

Furthermore there might not be much in the way of relegation from the RFU Leagues for 21/22 but I think its planned to move up a majority of clubs irrespective if they finished 1st or 5th/6th in whatever league they are in.

Are there directs flights between the two islands?

And regardless what an absolute ridiculous waste of money to play these games in August when who are you all going to play next.

Why do U’14s need to travel on this trip to play a game?  I for one simply don’t see the need or any justification

Another idea I have heard circulated is that if and when rugby resumes next season there is no promotion and relegation but the games are carried forward to the following season. So if we have a 15 league game season in 20/21 those games are carried forward so we have promotion and relegation at the end of 21/22 based on 45 games. This would make any games played next season meaningful and would also allow time for any games postponed due to lockdowns to be rescheduled. Not quite sure if I am in favour but it's an interesting idea. 

 

There are presently direct flights. Both Islands have been Covid free for a couple of months but with restrictions on travel on and off the Islands. Presently only residents, unless they are essential workers can travel back to the IoM and they then have to self isolate for 14 days. The only exception is if from the IoM you go to Guernsey. It was therefore decided to put on flights between the two Islands so people could have a break if they wished without having to isolate for 14 days on return. There are only a few flights a week and they quickly sold out.

 

Why do U'14s need to come to the IoM this week end to play a game. Well why do the U'15s, U16's etc.? Why go on tour as adults, why play rugby at all. Probably because they enjoy it and it gives them a chance to play somebody different.  

 

I am aware of what is going on but did not want to derail the topic. Pre Covid only Douglas of the men's side would have been in the RFU league structure in 20/21 as the rest of the IoM clubs are effectively at to low a level to be in the RFU leagues due to the number in the separate Lancashire Cheshire leagues. Additionally Douglas are probably the only IoM club who can raise the required funding to meet the increased contribution the RFU demand year on year.

 

I am not sure Douglas could meet the £40k travel costs this year as their big money spinner is running a campsite during the TT and that was cancelled this year. It is probably irrelevant as back on topic I cannot see any games pre the New Year and even if there are whether the flight restrictions between the IoM and the UK are eased enough to allow travel and if it is airlines start operating a Saturday flight schedule that makes getting to and from games in the UK is doubtful. Guernsey are in a better position as their Government has its own airline.

 

Back on topic. What will happen in 2021/22 is any bodies guess. I am sure that this season for many junior clubs if there are no meaningful games it will be difficult to keep players motivated and not drifting off to other sports that are being played. The hope is that they then come back.

Finally. Some good news. 

I hope supporters are allowed back as well.

I assume that none of the 8 involved were unwell or showed any symptoms prior to the match as they would not have been playing. I assume that the players will also have been previously tested as 'negative' in training and in the days prior to the match. I aslo don't think this was a reason for Hull's heavy defeat.

 

I think this is an example of the probability that many of us may be carrying the virus but not be affected at all, much in the same way that we may carry a cold or flu but not feel unwell.

Now that we are having more testing generally, more cases are being found, as you would expect with more testing but, what they don't say is that those being tested and found positive are not feeling unwell or showing symptoms.

Is this not evidence that testing, quarantine and lockdown measures do not work at all? It may be evidence that unless we are all tested, on a daily basis, we will never be certain of anything, and that will not happen.

Could be that the restrictions are pointless and we should just get on with life?

At this point C1-19 is killing fewer people than 'flu which we have lived with for years.

There was a big risk three or four months ago that it would be significantly worse ad overwhelm the health services.

Also it it exteremely age related - the risk of serious illness and death go up more steeply with age that all other cuases of death.

it does nto look like it is going away - and it is likely more novel viruses will follow.

If we cannot find a way to have competitive sport with an audience this winter - we may never have competitive sport again.

This could happen to anyone at any time.

The risk in overwhelming the NHS with new cases is Governments big worry. Previous experience has proved that isolating a virus in a General Hospital is very difficult. So, why are Covid patients still being admitted to General Hospitals and not in isolation in one of the many 'Nightingale' or special Units that have been set up? 

How can we start Rugby again if any Player who has to visit a Hospital, for any reason, will then have to quarantine for 10 days, just to be on the safe side. 

- a constant, blinding headache

- upset stomach

- loss of appetite

- tight chest

- alternate fever and chills

- chronically aching kidneys so bad I couldn't sit down

- utter exhaustion so I was falling asleep during the day

- severe cramp all over my body

- total loss of taste and smell for a month or so

The worst of this was over in around 10 days, but I would not want to suffer this again. Flu bares no comparison to Covid 19, and I think our best chance of a full return to action is a vaccine, which may take out the whole season. At best, I cannot see us safely returning before 2021 - I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

Dickon, hope you are ok now.

You say you were not tested and you provide a list of the issues you suffered through having this virus.

The Hull players who tested positive after the match probably had none of the problems you had when tested and, none before and during the match as they would not have been fit enough to take the field and play.

This really does cloud the issue further as a positive Covid test appears to be no guarantee of feeling/being ill. 

I agree with you that we will probably not play until 2021 but still hoping for a November start.

http://www.ncarugby.com/announcements/nca-clubs-feedback-their-thoughts-regarding-return-to-play/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ncarugby.com/announcements/nca-clubs-feedback-their-thoughts-regarding-return-to-play/

We lived with it for the first ten years of league rugby, and everyone accepted the outcome.  I'd rather have a truncated season than nothing at all.

Will Leeds be able to put a side out.

If they pull out you might get 6 home games - though there would be one less relegation spot.

Even so I expect it to be four down - so p9ossibly three pus Leeds.

Do they know something we don’t? Will the Unis pay for testing at BUCS Super League level?

Or are they just being optimistic that their season will still start in January?

Yes there are issues around the elder element but the chances of death to the players in the age bracket of 15-34 is incredibly low.

They are more likely to get the virus in a bar or uni lecture!!

And to add to that with Pfizer and Oxford being very close with their vaccines we need to stay very positive. 

P.S. I am not in this age bracket but wish I was!!

Everyone seems to be focussed solely on the death metric. The long term impact of having covid-19 has not been studied and having had it myself, I can tell you that, although I'm clearly alive, the breathing issues that came along with it lasted weeks after I'd recovered and even now (3-4 months on) I often find myself short of breath doing simple exercise.

At the moment not playing is bad for the game, returning to play without fully understanding the implications could be worse for the game.

I have a son who plays who is raring to go but then appreciates that he will have to be careful with us as his parents and more importantly his grandparents, but to be fair that is our responsibility to take on.

Look around as this virus is spreading like wildfire and rugby isn't going to make much difference....in my "Arm chair medic" view.

Given the current prevalence - which is is 1 i a thousand in the spikes under local lock down and much lower elsewhere - it is quite likely that no National 1 player or coach has C-19. But on the other hand, they might.

What is quite liekly is that it will become endemic - if it has not done so already - and these rates could persist for many years.

If we do not learn how to deal with it, then we may never have grass roots rugby, and of course that would mean eventually no elite rugby.

This may mean looking at speeding up the scrum.

My preference would be to have the referee give a free kick (that cannot be taken as a scrum) immediately if any front row dows not crouch correctly, and a penalty if they do not bind correctly. Then on set the scrum haldf has to put the bell in immediately.

Not onl do we reduce the C-19 risk, we would get rid of the time wasted on setting scrums.

CQ whilst i applaud your reasoning this would lead to packs who are getting stuffed in the scrum opting deliberately for a free kick or penalty against them rather than being driven backwards/constantly fatigued first before the inevitable penalty is awarded

I would quite happily watch 80 minutes of decent scrummaging, backs only knock on when they get the ball anyway

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000mlty" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000mlty

However due to the fact that about 40% of the country our now in increased infection areas that hope of DCMS Green lighting anything looks like being punted back down field. I still stick with my 2021 prediction before we see some "normal" rugby and even then I'm not sure when in 2021!

These young men need to play or our game will be lost.

The majority of contributors on this site will be like me, past playing and only wishing we could don the boots once again. It is up to us to look after ourselves whilst watching our beautiful game.

Yes the players will have to be careful with interaction with their families but that is a small price to pay to keep the game alive.

You quite clearly have no understanding of what efforts go in to making sure a game goes ahead each weekend do you?

You may not agree with me, which is your right to disagree, but I really do wonder where you get your formed opinion of my knowledge?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54391167" rel="nofollow - Sale Sharks: Reports of 16 positive Covid-19 tests put final Premiership game in doubt

I guess that the positive tests are not all playing squad and that some will be their backroom/support staff.  So as long as Sale can muster the required front row specialists for the match day 23 they should still play.

It takes one error, by one person and this is the outcome.

It was interesting hearing regional TV and the cost of private tests. To cover costs of regular tests, crowd safety measures, how much more would people pay to watch a match in person I wonder?

I thought Northampton was permitted to bring in a loose head.

The Northampton players in contact with any positive Sale players in their last match now have to self isolate. Obviously it's the front rows who have the most prolonged contact so Northampton are unable to field enough FR players.

In the Sale situation. I suspect that Worcester are not happy to play the fixture until they receive confirmation it's safe to play Sale. Presumably Sale could get a 23 out...but made up of many youth/reserve players

I was thinking of the other case where they had run out of front-row players for the cup.

It does mean Gloucester move ahead of Northampton who otherwise might have caught Quins.

Not sure how Sale will be able to raise a team by Wednesday - surely all their players will either be positive or contacts.

What I cannot remember is how many sides qualify for Europe Champions Cup next year.

If it is only six then it probably does not matter. If it is seven then it is crucial - and I would expect Saints to appeal.

It is the top 8 from all the 3 leagues so I believe Northampton will still qualify, but it has deprived Worcester the potential chance to overtake Gloucester. 

But I'm still not entirely sure about the Sale game and why they are giving them extra time. If they have managed to scrape together a side then they should be playing tomorrow....but it looks like they might be trying to do some more testing before Wednesday. 

Well last season we conceded a number of 2nd XV games due to not having enough players to cover for injuries to the 1st XV - we have also lost a few players who have chosen to move on.

I think we now have about 50 on the books for the combined squad, we should have needed that many to keep two teams going.

Given they only had two fit loose heads he had to play against Sale - and both now have to isolate having had contact with the Sale players.

But without that I believe Alex and Emmanuel would have had to play against Gloucester and Alex would have come on for the last ten minutes - or that seems to be the pattern.

I believe that had Northampton beaten Gloucester and Worcester got a bonus point win over Sale then Worcester would have pipped Gloucester to the eighth European place. All ifs, buts and maybes, but that's sport...

Having read some further information it appears Sale were willing to play (presumably they must have been training in groups or no close contact between all) but understandably given the amount of reported cases at the club, both PRL and Worcester were not entirely comfortable about this. 

I suspect PRL have given them an extension to avoid a potential lawsuit from Sale. However I suspect if public health England are uncomfortable with any of this then the game might end up getting cancelled anyway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54373489" rel="nofollow - Premiership: Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors off after eight more positive Covid-19 results

Six more Sharks players tested positive, total number of infections at the club 27.

Yet the RFU are restarting Womens rugby at the weekend, with .. No testing just a temp test and are you feeling ok today?

Can somebody tell me how long they think its going last before at least 50% of the sides are shut down.

Total madness !!!

Whoever has made that call wants to make themselves totally accountable for what happens!!

Allegedly to the end of March.

Could prove messy with it also being a Lions tour in the summer, there's not going to be much wiggle room if the 6N is pushed back even further.

I think it's a real possibility that one or both tournaments will be played behind closed doors, or - dare I say it - pushed back to 2022 

Here's hoping a vaccine is found, and soon.

Just goes to show what this government thinks of sport and fans in general.

I assume you are not in favour of public health. Tell that to the families of those who have died. How many need to die so you can watch a game of rugby.

Any chance of you keeping your left wing propaganda off the pages of a rugby forum?

You have just beaten me to the same reply Mark  Isn't that what forums are all about

There are so many things askew with that reply that it's difficult to get one's head around it.

Aaaah, assumptions. What you mean is making things up to suit your own agenda.

Gotcha.

Yea sad assumptions made based on a message.

I miss rugby and when it is safe it will be great to get back to it. Follow non league football too so seen people can return. Sat in my home rugby ground many times and away ones, distancing could be achieved etc. Like they say though it’s the travelling to and from, again stagger travel etc can work, did it myself the other week made sure I left early to try and beat any holiday crowds as well as soak up atmosphere.

Have to have the old faith (as in whatever happens we can’t decide) that whatever is being decided now is based on public health in general and if they feel sporting events could affect that then off course we have to wait. I know someone who can’t play in a band at the moment too and hasn’t since March like rugby due to guidelines. It’s at what point do these things become safe, people said on here rugby wouldn’t return until a vaccine, hope now?

I’ve gone on the basis/ fact probably better word since lockdown in March that rugby is one of the most contactable sports out there so understood why it’s not been played despite it definitely being more than a game of rugby. Catching the bus to my club would feel safe masked etc and don’t feel it would be a mass gathering given the frequency of buses and out of the support base not sure how many use the bus but all places/ clubs different off course. From what I’ve seen of rugby it’s a bubble in itself with respectable people. Has to be for us as our away games take up Saturday anyway if not weekends. Many hours on the coach.

Definitely an interesting one, it’s nice to now be in November, 2021 mentioned originally for no rugby, almost there.

Whilst we have conspiracy theorists, together with the pig ignorant and the "nobody's locking me down" contingent this virus will never be beaten.

The government know that and by their own admission are merely putting measures in place to prevent our marvellous NHS bring overrun.

Wait, do what your government is asking and please be responsible rather than respectable