Grassroots rugby clubs in England will be able to return to playing full contact games, with some adaptation, from as early as December 18.
The Rugby Football Union has announced that the government has approved their proposals for a return to 15-a-side rugby and contact training can resume from December 2.
Full details will be released tomorrow but initial adaptations announced include;
- No scrums or mauls in the game.
- Scrums to be replaced with a free kick.
- A minimum of five and maximum of seven players are required to form a lineout.
Before full contact games can begin in December, clubs can continue playing Ready4Rugby matches - a non-contact 10-a-side game - against each other.
There is no obligation for clubs to play full-contact 15-a-side friendly games with the adapted rules.
The RFU say that further Government guidance is expected tomorrow with regards to travel, changing rooms, spectators and clubhouse operations.
Competitive matches are expected to return in the new year in England.
The news follows the UK Government's announcement that outdoor team sport can resume from December 2.
In Wales, contact rugby remains banned.
Last week, the Welsh Rugby Union sanctioned the move to touch rugby matches only, with teams of no more than 10-a-side. Full details of the latest rules in Wales can be found here.
