https://www.ncarugby.com/national-1/national-league-2020-21-fixtures-announced-depending-on-rugby-restart-date/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ncarugby.com/national-1/national-league-2020-21-fixtures-announced-depending-on-rugby-restart-date/

Not clear whether the fixture list just moves back with the start date and no real further info on either NCA or RFU website!

I think we will play those fixtures on those dates. If we start late the missed fixtures get added to the end.

If we start by 3rd October we play all thirty rounds and go on into May.

If not we are into window 2 and play one round of fixtures home or away followed by top 8 / bottom 8.

And if cannot start until after 28th Nov  we go into the third window it is just one round of fixtures.

And if we have not got started by February we call everything off - as there will not be time for 15 matches.

Apparently it is fine to travel from Plymouth to Darlington - and not just to check ones eyesight.

Let's hope we do get some rugby.

 

 

I think your maths are off.

If one person in a hundred are infected and there are 43 people on tee pitch then your would expect less than one to be infected.

For a man under 30 playing rugby the risk of death from from covid is probably in the same order as the risk of being paralysed. So should we all play tag?

No the supporters in the crowd are a different matter.

[edit] thinking along the same lines as Camquin

If you stick with 1% then with 43 players on the pitch less than 1 person every 2 games would be expected to be positive 

 

Think I may have stated this badly, but it two separate tests groups about 1% of those Premiership Squads (1686 in total) Tested are positive. These are the elite end of the game, I very much doubt your average Club player has been in a totally Covid free environment. If you take the sample of the two tests and say that the rest of the rugby playing population will have the same rate then 1% of 350K is 3500.

 

If anyone thinks Rugby is coming back to your local Club in Window 1 I would suggest you think again. For the RFU to suggest as per the article in the Telegraph that a form of Touch Rugby is the way forward is well pointless, how many Front Rowers want to chase Wingers around all game?

 

I'll say it now, rugby other than the elite side with regular testing will NOT be back before 2021.

Yes, they are looking at reduced contact options but that is for the lower levels, not NCA levels. We need crowds but, as has been pointed out, while the players are Under 30 and low risk, our crowds are largely over 60 and therefore high risk. 

Nobody can yet say when rugby will restart, in the same way nobody can say when restrictions on pubs and restaurants will ease. If you know what Dominic Cummings’ Plan for us all is, please share it!

 

Doesn't seem so daunting now the 2021 thought, people were saying it back along. Hoping some can get going before then. I know we are running out of time for September but does almost feel like world is getting back.

 

Touch rugby for a while to get clubs open/ game moving? Adapt whilst need to etc. Recently back to the pub, adapted to new way, just good to be back.

 

Seen a mention refer to the Darlington/ Plymouth distance, done this over the years as one of many trips but even I know rugby is one of the most contactable sports out there so important to be safe etc. Seeing protests and beaches packed in recent weeks make me think hope rugby is not left behind because of it's contactable nature.

 

Another point that everyone seems to be missing is they sampled 800 first time round and removed the 10 infected people out of the equation, then 7 days later tested a slightly larger sample and found a further 9 more cases.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53422148" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53422148

 

Up thread it was stated that there are 350,000 players registered as 1st XV on GMS and approximated 1600 1st XVs which suggests there are 218 1st XV players for each of those teams.....

In a heartbeat....

I am 36 played for a number of clubs, in their respective 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd teams. Even played prop last year when a local team were short. It is all about risk, the chase of catching Covid-19 in a 2 minute scrum is less likely than a trip to see a family member, and sitting down with a cup of tea.

Players don’t sit in a dressing room thinking – will I catch Covid – will I get injured – or will this be my last ever match. We play the game because we love it. If a player decides they or their family are at risk, they will make an informed decision based on their interests and the interests of their loved ones. If they decide they are not going to play until there is a vaccine or until 2022 that is up to them, I am sure their club will be involved and supportive in the matter.

Crowds, are a long way off I fear, however for any persons who are in need of a rugby fix, do what I have done - sign back on for your local club, whatever level it is, even for the Vets or in a coaching capacity of minis or juniors.

The same would apply to coach travel, having said that it is easier to cancel them at the last minute. 

The second issue is with most of level 3 players working there is a greater risk of Covid contacts. you cannot compare any rugby with the premiership players who are fully professional, can isolate on bubbles and are regularly tested, no club outside the Premiership could afford to test their players the cost would be outside their budgets. 

So at what point are the NCA going to tell us when the actual start date is.it is now only 7 weeks to the proposed first fixture.  

Can see crowds being allowed at restart with minimal distancing outside and mask/full distancing in the clubhouse should levels decrease enough to allow play (part F of the roadmap). 

Window 2 After 3rd October and before 28th November - 15 fixtures will be played followed by two conferences of 8 teams from the top and bottom of the league will play home and away. 

Window 3 - starting after 28th Nov. and before 30th January - just 15 fixtures will be played home or away. 

Any delays in the start date clubs will be able to continue into May.

I think window 1 is very doubtful and window 2 could depend on the risk of a second wave. The problem is that at the moment without a vaccine community rugby will be a risk , if one player is found positive after a game then both teams will have to self isolate. This could cause cancellations.