RFU issues potential structure(s) for 20/21 Season
The RFU has issued initial thoughts on how the 20/21 season may look for the Bees
The upcoming 20/21 season will not start as we would normally expect, on the first weekend in September, due to the impact of the pandemic. Competitive Rugby will only begin when the RFU decides we have reached stage F on the "Return to Rugby" Roadmap. That Roadmap is attached to this article under the "documents" section.
However, the RFU has been looking into realistic start dates for the season and has published what it calls three "Windows" for Community Rugby to begin. The Bees are currently at level six in the RFU Pyramid; there is separate guidance for the leagues above us and the Professional game, but this article will focus solely on the potential structure of our season.
The RFU document which sets out their thoughts is attached as a PDF document with this article.
If anyone would like to read the full RFU articles they can be found by following this link:
In Summary, the RFU sees three possibilities for competitive Rugby starting at our level.
The first "window" would see competition begin on or before Saturday 3rd October.
The second "window" would see competitive Rugby re-introduced by Saturday 28th November;
The worst case scenario, other than the season being a complete write-off, would be that the season starts on or before Saturday 6th February.
If Rugby gets under way in the first time slot, our league would be split into two regions or "Conferences" of seven teams and we would play the six teams in our region home and away first to minimise travel. Having completed those 12 fixtures, we would then play all seven teams in the other conference in a second block of fixtures, making up the usual 26 fixtures. This plan can only fit into the Calendar if the RFU sanctions league Rugby into May.
The Second window would see The Bees play the 12 fixtures as before against our "region" and then play only 7 fixtures, either home or away against the teams in the other conference giving us a season of 19 fixtures.
If we don't get underway until February, then the RFU plan sees The Bees playing only a 12 game season, playing only the teams in our Region. If we face this scenario of playing only the sides in our half of the draw, then the League title will be decided by a play off between the two winners of the two "Conference" tables. If we get rolling under either option 1 or 2 then the league title will be decided by the team finishing top after 26 or 19 fixtures respectively.
The Rugby Club bar will be open from 12 noon this Saturday, 4th July. This announcement should give us all something new to chat about.
Here's to a safe return to Egg Chasing!
All the very best
Nick Pattersron
President
Bradford and Bingley RFC