Rugby season delayed due to dry pitch safety concerns

The start of the community rugby season has been postponed to 21 September due to safety concerns over drought-affected pitches in Wiltshire. The Rugby Football Union delayed the season from its original start date of 5 September, fearing injuries from the hard ground. Clubs have expressed significant worries, as pre-season training has also been impacted, hindering team readiness. The condition of football pitches may similarly cause delays, prompting match officials to conduct thorough inspections. Player safety remains the top priority amid ongoing drought conditions.

• 5:21 AMYahoo Sports — Safety fears over drought-affected sports pitches