The start of the 2026-27 rugby season has been delayed following the recent spell of hot and dry weather.

The drought conditions that most of Great Britain has experienced lately has left many pitches in an unsuitable state for contact rugby to take place.

In a statement released over the weekend, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) governing body said: 'After careful consideration and extensive consultation with clubs, we have decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday, September 21.

'We appreciate this will be disappointing news to clubs, players and volunteers who have been getting ready for and looking forward to the new season but there are a range of factors we’ve considered carefully before making this decision.

'Prolonged dry weather has left many grounds across the country hard and unsuitable for safe full-contact activity. With no meaningful or lengthy spells of rain currently forecast, these ground conditions are not expected to improve significantly in the short term.

'With this in mind, we have taken the decision to delay and to give everyone certainty now.

'We understand a delayed start has real practical implications - travel bookings, catering and food orders, volunteer planning and more - and we know volunteers always value as much time as possible to plan around a confirmed date rather than a moving target.

'This decision has been made on three grounds: Player welfare - hard, dry pitches increase the risk of injury, particularly in the opening weeks of the season when players are returning to full contact. We recognise that many clubs have had to limit contact training in pre-season training due to the pitch conditions. We want players to return to competition safely and adequately prepared.

'Competition integrity - starting the season on pitches that aren't fit for purpose risks uneven conditions and disruption across fixtures as well as offering advantages for those clubs able to prepare players during pre-season using artificial grass pitches - undermining fair competition from the outset.

'Planning - a clear, decisive two-week delay gives clubs, schools, colleges and universities the certainty needed to plan training, fixtures, travel and logistics with confidence.'

MANX CLUBS

Douglas and Vagabonds Rugby Clubs currently compete in the English leagues, in Regional Two North West and Counties Three ADM Lancashire & Cheshire respectively, while Vagabonds women also compete off-island in Women's NC2 North (South).

Ramsey will not participate in the English Clubs Championship next season, having recently withdrawn for financial reasons after the RFU confirmed that the Counties Three ADM Lancashire/Cheshire league will be expanded to 14 teams on a trial basis.

The RFU statement added: 'All fixtures in men’s leagues at Regional One level and below due to take place before September 21 should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by regional organising committees (ROC). It is expected that the November break remains in place.

'All fixtures in women’s leagues below PWR [Premiership Women's Rugby] currently scheduled to take place before September 21 should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by RFU Competitions.

'Local merit leagues and merit tables are governed and administered by constituent bodies (CBs) under the overarching authority and general regulations of the RFU.

'CBs, competition organisers and clubs playing in these leagues will be provided with the suggested guidance from the RFU in regard to the start to the season.

'Training can continue in the meantime, but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and continue to follow our guidance on modifying contact activity on hard grounds - including greater use of ACTIVATE, avoiding repeated practices that take players to ground, and considering Rugby 365 AGP hire where available.'