National League Rugby are disappointed to announce the postponement of Rams RFC’s home match against Chinnor, which was due to be played tomorrow evening. (Photo Credit: Paul Clark)

The decision was taken following a Covid-19 outbreak within Chinnor’s squad and the date for the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course.

This local derby was set to be National League Rugby’s first foray into live streaming and would have been hosted by Warren Muggleton and Talking Rugby Union, with NextGen powering the production.

We would like to thank everyone involved – not least Rams and Chinnor – for their support around the live stream, and hopefully we will be able to bring this initiative to our audience in 2022.

National League Rugby Chairman John Inverdale said: “It is hugely disappointing that the next step in National League Rugby’s progression has been disrupted in this way, but obviously, it was wholly the right decision.

“I would echo everyone involved in the project that our desire is to repeat the experiment as soon as possible in the New Year.”

Don’t forget, you will still be able to catch the rest of the action from Round 15 on The National League Rugby Review Show. Subscribe now for just £6.

Update from England Rugby

In light of the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, National League Rugby is expecting more postponements this weekend and we will be announcing them on our website if and when they occur.

We understand these local derby, Christmas fixtures mean a lot to our teams so the RFU has also introduced flexibility around this Saturday’s matches to give clubs and players options.

Fixtures scheduled for the weekend of 17/18/19 December:

  • Matches can go ahead as normal this weekend if both teams are happy to play.
  • Should either club involved in a scheduled fixture this weekend wish to postpone, they can do so without sanction. Both clubs must contact their respective organising committee as soon as possible, and at the latest by 1200 on Friday 17th December (Clubs must not postpone their fixture via Electronic Matchcard). The postponed fixture must be played on the next available weekend as determined by the Organising Committee.

To postpone a fixture, clubs must adhere to the following process:

1.  Submit a Covid declaration form

2.  Include ‘concerns about Covid’ as the reason for the postponement

3.  For this weekend – 17/18/19 December 2021 – there is no requirement to provide additional supportive information for the Covid declaration.

If clubs decide to play fixtures this weekend, the RFU would advise that sensible precautions should be taken to protect members and players. In line with public health advice, we would suggest:

  • Encouraging players, coaches, members, match officials to undertake Lateral Flow Tests ahead of attending and to self-isolate if the test is positive and take a PCR test to verify the result.
  • Minimising use of changing rooms – encourage players to arrive in kit. If changing rooms or treatment rooms are required, facemasks must be worn and rooms must be ventilated where possible.
  • Minimising use of social spaces, ventilating where possible and keep spacing within rooms
  • Implementing regular cleaning protocols of communal areas and toilet facilities
  • Ensuring hand sanitisers are readily available.
  • Reminding members to follow government and public health guidance on mask-wearing.
  • Minimising travel with other people

Alongside government guidance, which can be found here, and Sport England guidance here, you can find information, resources and FAQs on the England Rugby Coronavirus Hub which will be updated if government advice changes. Please check back regularly.

If you can’t find the information you are looking for please contact ClubSupport@RFU.com

The RFU will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with government and public health experts and further guidance will be issued post Christmas. The safety of all players, coaches, officials and volunteers remains the priority.