Peterborough RUFC thrilled as competitive rugby union could be back in the new year

Peterborough RUFC and Peterborough Lions have both been invited to take part in a mini-league in 2021 after the RFU lifted restrictions on their sport from December 18.

The city clubs were both supposed to take part in Midlands Division One this season, but all English club competitions below elite level were scrapped because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

But the RFU has now given permission for small leagues to take place from next year as long as the competing clubs are subject to the same tier restrictions.

There are caveats as there will be no scrums and no mauls.

One mini-league would contain Peterborough RUFC, Peterborough Lions, Oundle, Kettering, Bedford Athletic and Market Harborough.

The competition will only take place if all clubs and players are comfortable with the arrangements.

New Peterborough head coach Shane Manning is all for some competitive action. He moved to Fengate in June and has been limited to regular coaching sessions.

Manning has organised an inter-club trial for 40 Borough players at Second Drove on Saturday (2pm) as prepartion for some ‘real’ matches.

“I would hope the clubs and the players would be desperate to play,” Manning stated.

“Clubs must be struggling financially so the chance of some action and then a drink and a meal afterward will hopefully be something we all want.

“We are in the middle of a unique situation and I fully respect anyone who doesn’t want to take part, but we are raring to go.

“It will be different without scrums and mauls, and certainly some of the bigger guys are not happy about that, but we want competition and the games against local clubs are always full of interest.

“We’ve been training regularly since the middle of June and the guys have been fantastic. They turn up, do their work and just accept the situation we are in.

“They are frustrated and they keep asking when we will be playing competitively again, but their attitude had been outstanding.

“We have talent here, but I need to see them in competitive matches to really get to know them.

“The RFU have lifted restrictions from December 18 so we decided to get cracking with an inter-club match on the following day.”

Borough also hope to arrange some friendlies in the new year.