The noble sport of rugby is played worldwide by around  3.5 million registered players and 6.1 million non-registered players plus the essential coaching staff and volunteers. The pandemic has struck rugby hard as it is a full contact sport and C-19 being a highly contagious disease forcing an overall ban on playing as well as training at all levels including the professional leagues and international games Although at the top levels some matches have been given the go ahead if teams formed a safe bubble and followed stringent testing in order to play but, unfortunately, without spectators present in the ground. Many players expressed missing the cheering fans significantly, so, pre-recorded fan reactions are heard over the stadium’s public address system to compensate in part for the lack of public. However, grassroots and community rugby are completely on hold and many club officials think that this could trigger a decrease in new players taking up rugby and move in different directions towards sport activities that seem safer and less complicated to do. All rugby enthusiasts are wondering when full on rugby will return and how there may be possible changes made to the game.

Pre-pandemic there were trends, especially in the UK rugby world of decreasing numbers in joining rugby and some were of the view that pro-rugby was becoming a spectator sport with less players coming in at grassroots level but to offset that UK women’s rugby has seen an upward trend along with a healthy growth in the game from the Asian region. The 2019 RWC held in Japan was by far the most successful tournament yet both in attracting huge crowds and big sponsors. Although this is positive for the game some of the high-ranked teams have seen a downturn in new players joining and existing players drift away, so, couple this with the Coronavirus limitations the governing bodies are concerned about further negative impacts on rugby. Certain new regulations were introduced to allow community rugby teams to play with less than 15 players as sometimes teams found it difficult to muster a full team every week which permitted games to continue even if it was 12-a-side. Post pandemic rugby will clearly see an incentive program to get everyone back playing full contact rugby which we all enjoy. The social aspects that rugby is famous for is missed by all who follow or play the game and clubs are already trying to keep the social side alive with charity drives for local services, businesses and the club itself. This is the major concern, how many clubs will simply disappear due to the pandemic and no financial support? Local teams as it has happened in the past merge to pool resources and stay active but this means less teams for matches. Governing bodies will are most likely to streamline existing leagues and change boundaries to limit travelling to away matches. This could lead to lower and higher league teams for the sake of utilising finances more efficiently to intermix with new regulations on promotion and relegation at the end of the season. Geographical positions of clubs will be an important factor post-pandemic to keep community rugby afloat. 

The RFU reported a loss of over £100 million and predict a total of £145 due to the C-19 lockdown period and it is going to continue until the situation rights itself. The Guinness 6 Nations tournament was interrupted but playing the remaining fixtures behind closed doors  which prevents the revenue from 80,000 spectators that England rugby get at Twickenham every game gave cause for somewhat an anti-climax for all watching at home because the pubs are shut and the team celebrating with the cup with no-one in sight and furthermore, the RFU having to sack 139 employees. This huge financial loss means that the entire tiered rugby divisions face cutbacks on grants, subsidies and financial aid which could provoke a club insolvency problem or even going bankrupt. The players who have contracts are definitely going to be forced to find an alternative form of employment to get through this non-playing period and as a consequence may not be able to return to rugby because of it. Only the Premiership league is allowed to play now without spectators though, however, Championship, National1 and National 2 have had the 2020-21 season officially cancelled until February 2021 and even then it is still under scrutiny to see if play will be possible.

This pandemic has struck rugby hard and we will have to see in the coming months how it will be sustained and more importantly the full impact on clubs right across the rugby spectrum on who can survive. The solution is not only money as the ever decreasing numbers of new players to the game was already evident before the virus plagued us which has now compounded this trend and could act as a catalyst to inspire the rugby hierarchy and communities to affront these problems with more verve and tenacity just like the lads and lasses do on the pitch during a game whether playing for your country, county, city, town or village with the spirit of rugby that no other sport comes close to giving. 

If you feel frustrated about the current situation, remember that the Krakow Rugby Festival is coming back in 2021 – it’s a great social rugby tournament with male and female teams from all over, unlimited beer, live music, and lots of entertainment. The world is not ending- there will be sun again, and there will be rugby tournaments again, so cheer up !