World Rugby has released its framework for rugby's return to play, written by chief medical officer Eanna Falvey, former CMO Martin Raftery, Welsh Rugby Union's Prav Mathema an independent physician Professor May Horgan recommending safety considerations for every stage of government restrictions and outlining the practical elements of a return to play.
Daily screenings, temperature checks and the assignment of one coach to the same group of players for each session are among the recommendations tabled by the report.
The document states that "large traditional crowds" would be unlikely without a COVID-19 vaccine but that will also depend on public health policies developed around the world.
World Rugby listed the minimum 167 people that would be required to stage a match even without crowds, a situation that appears most realistic as countries prepare for the return to sports.
Other suggestions in the document include asking players to travel in separate cars for games where travel is required and where a hotel stay is needed, that teams try to stay on one floor of their accommodation.
When broader travel is allowed, have departing teams kept in a separate holding room before travelling to away games.
More generally, the document details 10 "rules of engagement" for the management of COVID-19 outbreaks.
Part of those rules include requiring coaches, players and staff to complete a daily questionnaire about their health and submit to temperature checks on the way into training facilities.
The rules also urge the cessation of car pooling outside of people you live with and showering at home rather than at the club.
It is expected that a domestic Super Rugby competition would be pencilled in to kick off in July, with training starting in June.
[Source: rugby.com.au]
