World Rugby release strict guidelines for rugby's return

Monday, 04 May 2020 at 19:17

bySteven Smith

It's unlikely that crowds will be allowed at International matches until an effective coronavirus vaccine is freely available, according to new guidelines released by World Rugby.

The document, compiled by World Rugby’s leading medical experts, raises the possibility of the autumn Tests, next year’s Six Nations and even mentions the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

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6:05 PM · May 4, 2020

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Unfortunately, it seems very likely that games moving forward will be played in empty stadiums or in front of radically reduced attendances.

The guidelines also advise that no competitive matches should even take place until governments allow gatherings of 250 people, casting major doubt on the completion of the 2019-20 Premiership season.

Premiership clubs have advised players to prepare for the first stage of training from 1 June but this document advises against handshakes and hugging, while a distance of 1.5 metres should be kept between players and face masks should be worn when possible. Pretty hard to train for rugby like this.

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All players will also be asked to fill in a daily questionnaire for symptoms of Covid-19 and will be required to have their temperature checked before entering the clubhouse or training facility.

Anyone with a temperature higher than 37.5 centigrade will immediately be sent home.

The report was compiled by medical experts Éanna Falvey, Prav Mathema, Mary Horgan, Martin Raftery. The World Rugby guidelines are being issued to all unions who are expected to create a framework for a return to play in conjunction with their own government’s advice.

Rugby Partners | Who are stars quarantining with?

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The partners of rugby players in the UK are having to spend a lot more time with their other halfs due to the current lockdown.

Here we get to know the people behind the England, Scotland and Wales stars.

1. ANNABEL FIELD (HUW JONES)

Scotland centre Huw Jones is unafraid to show his love for girlfriend Annabel Field, describing the diminutive beauty as 'his everything' in an Instagram post. The couple are thought to have met in Glasgow but spend their time criss-crossing the globe - racking up visits to Monaco, Barcelona and the Bahamas in 2019 alone.

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2. BECKY NORTH (GEORGE NORTH)

Former Olympic cyclist Becky is well and truly a match for her rugby player husband George in the sporting stakes, having won two silver medals in Rio in 2016. The pair are expecting their first child together in the next few weeks.

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3. GILL HOGG (STUART HOGG)

The couple married in 2016 and welcomed son Archie, now four, later that year. They have since had daughter Olivia, two, and one-year-old George. Gill prefers to stay out of the spotlight but her proud husband can't help but gush over her on Instagram, calling her the 'best wife he could have asked for'. The family now live in Exeter, where Hogg plays for the Chiefs.

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4. DR ANWEN JONES (ALUN WYN JONES)

Dr Anwen Jones, wife of Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones, 34, is a Welsh medium physiology and health lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Like her husband she's incredibly sporty - she's a former 400m hurdler and was Welsh champion from 2000-2007. The couple have two daughters.

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5. ELLIE GRAY (RICHIE GRAY)

Huge 28-year-old Richie Gray towers above all at 6ft 10in but he doesn't leave his wife Ellie n the shade. She is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty queen who represented Scotland in Miss World 2014.

6. GEORGIE LYON (OWEN FARRELL)

The England star, 27, wed Georgina 'Georgie' Lyon, also 27, in 2018 and their first son, a rugby player in the making, Tommy, arrived in March 2019. The couple also have a dog, Ron, but you're unlikely to find either baby or pet on social media, Georgie is happy to let her husband do the talking via his rugby.

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7. BAZ JONES-DAVIES (NIGEL OWENS)

The popular Welsh referee began dating the Primary School Teacher. After attending the World Cup with Owens, they took their relationship to the next level, and now run a farm together.

8. ALYSE MILLER (ANTHONY WATSON)

Bath player Anthony Watson's American girlfriend Miller has a successful career as an events planner and regularly shows off snaps from her jet-setting life on her Instagram account.

9. SOPHIER HARRIES (LIAM WILLIAMS)

She's the model fiancee of Scarlets star Liam Williams and has just been signed up to London model agency Models 1. Harries describes herself as a small town Welsh girl living in London. We think we'll add totally gorgeous to the list.