Why is it ?


I'll tell you what, I was never in favour of the switch to summer rugby, but wish I'd had the opportunity to play it, instead I was an autumn/winter/spring player for almost 20 years.
It makes sense to me, the only thing I'd be worried about at amateur level is the young lads that are borderline pro being taken by the pro clubs for their entire amateur season as opposed to part of it as it has been for recent years, but in the case of the individual, crack on & have a go & get what you can out of the game.
Summer rugby has got some mileage in it as far as I'm concerned.

Playing rugby on rock hard pitches, in warm temperatures at the beginning and end of a normal season was always hard work.

At professional level the clubs will be able to water the pitches and keep them relatively soft, but I can't see amateur pitches being looked after to the same extent.

Sorry but you are talking rubbish. First its very rare pitches are that rock hard in summer and you saying that pitches also rock hard in winter? Grass grows better in summer and so the pitches are often not as hard as you think. Hard work? Sorry but thats just a poor excuse. I play in summer and think its way better. Warmer conditions means better standard of rugby. On the rare days its over 30C we play 20 minutes have a 2 minute water break then 20 minutes and then 10 minutes then another 2 minute break on the 60 minute mark.
Many of the excuses about playing in summer is so bad is by people who have never played in summer or doesnt suit them. If you dont want something you can make as many excuses you want for it not to happen. I get the feeling this is the case about Summer Rugby. Having played in the freezing cold Winter at Greetland, Siddal, Ovenden, Stainland, Queensbury, Keighley Town, Underbank etc I know its very grim. Playing in summer is a far better attraction and less likely that games at such places getting called off!

What position do you play?

Well am semi retired mate as really old at 37 and in a lot of pain! but often I played Back row but also fill in at Fullback, Centre and half if need be. Played for Fax u21s many years ago on the Wing. I just play wherever

As a fat front rower i have a different opinion on summer rugby



A lot of the lads I have spoken to aint too keen on summer rugby but numbers playing the game in winter are seriously dwindling so something drastic was required. Wonder if many will dabble in the other code in winter or play for pennine league teams as that will be staying in winter.

I think you just have to give it a go. I understand why some do not want to change but I think you have also to look at the benefits. As I understand the season would run from Feb-October So doubt many would go to <the Kick and Clappers. It would not surprise me to see players and maybe clubs having a winter and summer side.

Let's not forget that the amateur game is about playing - not dragging crowds in at £2 a head. Sure it helps finance the game but that's not the main object.

What about the 2nd and 3rd teams if these clubs, will they stick with the Penine League in the winter? We could see players playing all year round.

We already do.

Get with the 21st century. Summer rugby is the way forward, I'm convinced of it. From what I'm hearing coming from the Siddal club, your not bound to play your fixtures on a saturday afternoon, so there are options available. I'm more than interested to see how it works out, and Leon, fat props are so not the 21st century mate !

Agreed Col. Yesterday was warmish but certainly not that Hot and I bet most Summer days would see a similar temperature. And I have played in 37 C with the pitch Freshly watered when playing in Bad Reichenhall once!! The players just need to drink plenty before, during and after the game. And in North Queensland the weather is slightly hotter than Costa del Calderdale!! Summer is the way forward-sure you may lose some to Cricket etc but the benefits for the team/club outweigh that in my opinion