WRU posts pitch safety advice over hot, dry summer

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has released pitch safety advice for community clubs as temperatures soared to a record-breaking high of 35.9C in Cardiff during June, making this the driest July in 190 years. The extreme heat left many rugby pitches extremely hard, resembling concrete, presenting significant injury risks to players.

In response, the WRU has sent letters to all community clubs, offering guidance to assess pitch conditions before the start of the new season's opening matches next week. The WRU also assures clubs that they can reschedule fixtures without facing penalties until mid-September. Additionally, match officials are empowered to overrule safety decisions.

To determine playability, clubs should look for uneven surfaces, holes, cracks, sudden dips, and insufficient grass coverage in key areas such as scrum, tackle zones, and in-goal zones. The WRU emphasizes that player safety must be the top priority, allowing games to proceed if conditions are safe, or clubs and referees can opt to postpone if there are any concerns. This guidance remains in effect until September 13, with a new update to follow.