WRU status update 17/08/21

CEO Welcome

“It is with great excitement that we have been able to welcome back fixtures in the community game.

The season has started with a series of cup competitions, as we all ease ourselves back into some semblance of normality. The pool rounds of the competitions are locally-based to limit travel and to generate many tasty local derbies for players and fans to enjoy as they return to clubs and pitches around Wales. Rugby is very much back on the agenda.

With a record 20,000 tickets sold in the first hour of public sale, we also know the appetite for Welsh rugby internationals and the Autumn Nations Series is stronger than ever.  Wayne Pivac’s Wales face New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia in the autumn with Principality Stadium back at full capacity and it is infinitely gladdening to confirm the nation is ready for rugby to return to Cardiff at it celebratory best.

We expect there will be some Covid -19 measures in place such as masks to be worn when moving around the stadium which can be removed when supporters are at their seats and enhanced cleaning measures.  It’s important to note we’ve worked to the guidelines set out by Welsh Government and those of Public Health Wales throughput the process and we will continue to do so and we’re also working with the Local Authority and Safety Advisory Group (SAG) as we plan ahead.

We have allowed fans to buy with confidence with a full refund policy in place should Covid-19 restrictions prevent attendance for anyone.  But we will all be forgiven for planning for and expecting the best of outcomes and a set of full-houses this autumn to warm the hearts and stir the passion throughout Wales.  A packed-out series will be symbolic of things returning to normal in Welsh rugby.

The high demand for international tickets bodes well for the whole game in Wales. Returning support is obviously vital in terms of generating the money that is re-invested in the game at all levels, but this is the national sport of Wales and it just hasn’t felt right without supporters in Stadia.

There has been something missing and we will be delighted to welcome fans back for a series which will see many of the superstars of the world game in Cardiff.

This will also the first time many fans will have been able to see Wales in the flesh, since securing the 2021 Six Nations title, with only limited numbers allowed into Principality Stadium during the recent summer series.

The atmosphere should be truly celebratory and that’s before we start talking about the prospect of playing an New Zealand side as we look for a first victory since 1953; the British & Irish Lions-taming, world champion South Africans; the ever exciting Fijians and Australia, who will be looking for a win against us at the third time of trying.

Member clubs have been instrumental in helping to create the demand for rugby to return and directly in taking up ticket allocations for the Autumn Nations Series and I thank each and every one of our members for their continued dedication to and support of Welsh rugby.

I would like to formally congratulate Alun Wyn Jones on his achievements not just with the British & Irish Lions, where he has entered himself into the history books as one of their greatest players and servants, but also with and on behalf of Wales.  He is an exemplar to all representing Wales on a global stage in the very best of lights and we are proud to have him as one of our own.

Congratulations to Jasmine Joyce who, although disappointed to finish fourth with GB Sevens in Tokyo, enjoyed a fantastic second Olympics, scoring prolifically and was a brilliant role model for all aspiring young players, well done Jaz.

Finally, may I send my congratulations to Sean Fitzpatrick and the many other participants of the Tour de Scarlets fundraiser in support of the Scarlets Community Foundation. I  met up with them personally to pass on my encouragement and wished them well on their marathon ride around the region.”

Yours in rugby

Steve Phillips WRU CEO

Rugby is back!

Rugby returned with a bang across Wales at the start of the month as touchlines and clubhouses buzzed with fans and players alike.

The WRU Cup competitions, designed to re-introduce the game to a nation that had spent more than 500 days wondering when they might be able to play again, turned into a real celebration as teams at all levels and both sexes got back in the groove.

“I have to admit I was a bit nervous in the build-up to the opening weekend,” admitted WRU Community director of rugby, Geraint John, “but from what I experienced at Porthcawl it turned into a wonderful exercise.

“Skewen came to Porthcawl and won on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t a day about winners and losers. It was a day when the Welsh rugby family reunited both on the field and off.

“We lost a few fixtures to COVID and a few other complications, but the vast majority of matches were played. As a first step back into playing I don’t think we could have wished for much more.

“It was great to witness first-hand what is going on at Porthcawl. They’ve been having 40 players at training and are thinking about starting a 2nd XV and want to establish an U18 girl’s team.

“There were a few clubs who wanted to get back into full blown league fixtures straightaway, but I think our measured approach has been the right one. Everyone needs to ease their way back into playing and we will be closely monitoring the numbers of games being played, and clubs who maybe struggling, as we go deeper into the current cup competitions.”

Back, but not as we knew it:

Competitive rugby made a very welcome return across Wales, but not as we all knew it more than 500 days ago when the community game was last in full flow.

COVID-19 has forced changes to laws to ensure safety and law variations on trial from World Rugby will make the opening round of games in the Pathway to Participation: Senior Cup Competition. This involves the Championship Cup and other competitions embracing teams from the lower leagues split into Plate, Bowl and Shield categories.

In addition, there are North and South Wales Women’s Cup tournaments and a South Wales Plate tournament. It is great to have teams back on the pitch playing again, but there are a number of different things to look out for.

As far as the World Rugby regulations are concerned, these are the headline acts:

50:22

If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22, they will throw into the resultant lineout. The ball cannot be passed or carried back into the defensive half for the 50:22 to be played. The phase must originate inside the defensive half.

Goal line drop-out

If the ball is held up in in-goal, if there is a knock-on from an attacking player in in-goal or an attacking kick is grounded by the defenders in their own in-goal, then play restarts with a goal line drop-out anywhere along the goal line.

Flying wedge

The three or more player, pre-bound pod, or flying wedge, is now outlawed. The sanction will be a penalty kick.

1 Man latch

The one-player latch will still be permitted, but this player will now have the same responsibilities as a first arriving player (i.e. must stay on feet, enter through the gate and not fall to the floor). The sanction will be a penalty kick.

Cleanout and safety of the jackler

Any player who attempts a clean out which targets or drops weight onto the lower limbs of another player will now be penalised.

The adapted laws for the upcoming tournaments involve changes to existing rules to ensure safety under COVID-19 restrictions.