World Rugby has published guidelines for the safe return to rugby activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The document runs to 29 pages and covers all aspects of a return to individual training, in small groups and into non-contact with larger groups.

The document stops short of a return to full contact and also continually references the fact that different countries will manage the return to social activity at a different pace, one that must be adhered to locally.

The document has a strong Irish stamp being authored by Dr Éana Falvey, formerly of Ireland, Munster and the Santry Sports Clinic who stepped up in January as World Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, and Professor Mary Horgan, President of the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin amongst other experts.

The document has been prepared and published following consultation across World Rugby’s 124 national member unions, competition owners and players.

The guidelines have two core sections containing important information.

The first section provides safety information to everyone involved in the game including players, coaches, support and administrative staff.

The second section provides a framework around which national unions can prepare best-practice policies and guidelines for return to activity that are appropriate to their local setting, complying with national guidelines on social distancing and travel restrictions.

The guidelines are World Health Organisation (WHO) compliant and outline three dedicated time-bound return-to-training phases – small group training, full group non-contact training and full contact training.

It also documents the environment for returning to match action in a domestic, cross-border and cross-continent context and processes for facility and stadium preparation.

“We have been working in full collaboration with unions, regions, competitions and players in preparing a set of guidelines that are WHO compliant in a rugby context,” said Falvey.

“They outline all the necessary considerations and steps for players, coaches, clubs, unions and competitions and will be updated regularly as the advice and environment evolve.”

“Initial feedback has been extremely positive, and it is certainly prudent that we have a standardised and ready-to-mobilise approach when it is safe and appropriate to resume steps towards playing in the context of easing social-distancing measures.”

Sport for Business is hosting a member meeting on what social distancing might look like in a sporting context tomorrow morning and we will discuss this and other protocols on best practice and how it is developing. To join us, Sport for Business members can register here.

The document from World Rugby can be downloaded here.