The COVID-19 pandemic required changes to this season and next agreed by the PGB to cover Premiership and England matches. The player welfare initiatives will be under constant review and monitored weekly.
For the 2019-20 season:
• No player will play more than 180 minutes if selected in a matchday 23 on three occasions in a week
• No player will start all three games in a week
• No player will be selected in more than six matches in the seven games between 14 August and 13 September
• A player’s training load will be managed if they are selected in three matchday squads in any given seven-day period
In addition, at the end of the 2019-20 season there will be:
• A three-week break for all players, except those in the Premiership Final who will receive a two and a half week break and one and a half week preparation for Round one
• No pre-season friendlies for clubs in the Premiership or European finals
• England players will receive a one-week break after England v Italy and two weeks following their return to clubs in December
For the 2020-21 season:
• The season starts Friday 20 November and ends with the Final on Saturday 26 June
• All players are guaranteed a three-week rest period with maximum notice possible
• A game-wide mental health monitoring programme will be launched, and will be available for all players
• Premiership Rugby Shield cancelled for this season and will be reviewed