With just S&E returning from above and Havant, North Walsham and Westcombe Park joining us, how many transfers from the midlands are we going to need and whom will it be?

With one extra in SW, I think it may be us (Maidenhead) coming across)

It would seem that Maidenhead would be the most obvious transfer. This is the RFU, so it may end up being someone from Cornwall :-).

There is also the shadow of the big shake up. Smaller, more local leagues with less travel and fewer games.

I take it this is what we're talking about?

We've got 6 months to get used to there not being any community rugby. 

That's why when the fixtures come out, it will be like manna from heaven. Hopefully they'll come out quicker now the leagues are "finished".

I wonder if they'll wait a while until after social distancing is stopped to see how the clubs survived the terrible period. I can't see the RFU wanting to constantly have to rejig the leagues if clubs should go bust or ask to be relegated. 

I recall being told in no uncertain terms once, that there was no chance of that happening

The kind chaps at Hampshire RFU have confirmed who will be in the league next season

We’ve now had confirmation of our transfer. Looking forward to making new friends, and experiencing some new challenges.

I think that is the best case.

I suspect that, if the RFU has it's way, Promotion/Relegation will be superfluous, due to league restructure.

What a load of bull. I wouldn't believe it. If anything, they should focus more on community rugby rather than pro-rugby just like cricket are looking at. Or even better, just let the season start as normal like Belarussian football is continuing as normal.

Not sure Belarus is a good example, with a dictator and censorship. 

If Nat 1 & 2 football teams are saying they cant afford ongoing COVID testing for their players to be able to play games, I can't see community rugby being able to afford it.

As an aside, I do suspect that we won't get to play competitive games until Jan'21 at the earliest.

Absolutely. And get them drinking bleach to keep coronavirus at bay.

Perhaps Dorking will pay for everyone.

I note your post, but question for you,what of teams like DMP, Caldy Plymouth, Redruth ( at Nat 1 and 2 level) who spend 50% of the season on the road on Friday afternoons, early evenings or/and 90% of the sides going to play Guernsey, who spend time  travelling on Friday nights. 

How could you have trained Thursday night with the team, take a test and be positive on Friday, the whole of Thursday nights training group has to do into lockdown having been in contact with said player and the club does therefore not have a side to travel

Awesome wrote: Tring Hertford merger would not happen, although they have tried tempting a few players over the years. If clubs merge which could happen it would have to be nearby to work.

I think Hertford have asked Tommy Newton to come over to the blue side a few times, but his loyalty to Tring is admirable. Quality player and all round decent chap.

Guernsey are following different guidelines to the UK...we are out of lockdown now and basically back to normal, we just have travel restrictions whereby we can travel off Island but anyone coming in has to quarantine for two weeks. Raiders have started back at training properly so could be a long pre season. Guernsey has agreed a travel bridge with Isle of Man as they also have no more active cases, so there is talk of potential Home and away friendlies.

So what would that mean? Guernsey forced to stay down (With some sort of compensation I assume) and S&E get to stay up? I have to say I like this idea (not just because I like trips to Guernsey!). But I guess they'd just say Guernsey have to play all their home matches somewhere in Hampshire.

The only reason I said Hampshire was because Guernsey are affiliated to the Hampshire RFU so they'd probably want to/be required to support their local county association. I believe Aurigny do fly to Southampton.

That wouldn't be an option either unless the players fancied moving to the UK for the season. The 2 week quarantine relates to any locals returning to the Island also

We will not mention that the longest Lager glasses do not fit under the specially designed perspex!

Maybe it's specially designed to stop people drinking certain Lagers? 

Ask your Club Secretary! S(h)e, like me will be getting twice weekly updates from the RFU and probably weekly updates from your CB RDO about what can and can’t be done. Weekly coaching and administrative webinars and lots of practical help. 

The RFU cannot move from Stage B on the Roadmap without Government agreeing their Return to Play protocol. Tha5 was submitted last week and is probably what led to the Sports Minister last Monday talking about community rugby returning without scrums until January. 

The RFU is anything but quiet and inactive. Give them a break for a change!

I think you'll find it went in 1 week after that from the FA and the ECB. It is more complex because of the close contact in rugby. Other contact sports - judo, for example - are also still waiting for decisions.

14.8.2021 v Camberley RFC (H)

21.8.2021 v Rochford 100 RFC (H)

28.8.2021 v London Cornish RFC (H)

Looking forward to the start of a new season at our re-developed clubhouse with fantastic viewing balcony, and magnificent new gymnasium and medical/physio facility.