The IRFU have announced that rugby will return to competition stage from September, though stopped short of naming an actual date.
The IRFU say, this is to allow clubs to plan and work towards the start of the 2020/21 season and the playing of rugby matches.
The given date will also factor in a minimum window of five weeks permitted for contact training ahead of a return to rugby matches.
"This is another welcome step in our return to rugby” said Chair of the IRFU Rugby Committee Greg Barrett.
“There is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes in clubs at present as they put Health & Safety plans in place to manage the risk of COVID-19. This announcement helps give us all something to work towards.”
"It’s important for rugby players to have competitive sport to look forward to and they deserve to know that our return to rugby guidelines are built around their welfare” added Barrett.
"We will provide further clarity on what the 2020/21 season will look like, but what we can say is that the first matches permitted will keep travel to a minimum.“
"This should help with concerns around travel, but our hope is that this will also serve as an opportunity for the rugby community to support their clubs and help generate some much needed cash-flow.“
"For now, I would urge clubs to continue to focus on completing the COVID-19 Safety Planning Stage of our guidelines and availing of the education & training supports that the IRFU have put in place.”
“That is ultimately what will lead to the resumption of rugby as we know it” added Barrett.
