What your teams are doing until rugby returns

We’ve gone scrummaging for ways fans can get their rugby fix.

Missing the sights and sounds of rugby? Although both players and fans are social distancing, that doesn’t mean the sport isn’t bringing people together.

Not only have the UK’s national and Premiership Rugby teams been busy supporting their communities in recent months, but they’ve also harnessed their adrenaline to help the NHS. Plus many are launching a range of online activities sure to please young and old fans alike.

From exercise programmes and podcasts to quizzes and classic matches, see what your favourite club has been getting up to while this season’s rugby matches are on hold.

England Rugby

England Rugby are showcasing classic matches and much more on their YouTube channel replays playlist. Recent additions include the men’s 2010 fixture between England v Australia at Twickenham, when Chris Ashton scored that unbelievable try, and the women’s very close 2018 Red Roses match against Canada at Doncaster’s Castle Park.

They’ve also teamed up with Mitsubishi to surprise five volunteer coaches with a masterclass from England Head Coach Eddie Jones.

Scottish Rugby

Scottish Rugby give fans exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews, information, news and discussion on the Official Scottish Rugby Podcast. You’ll also find an array of fun content for Scottish Rugby, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby at the Fanzone. This includes classic games being shown on their social channels, quizzes and lot of things to keep the kids entertained.

Welsh Rugby Union

Welsh Rugby Union are offering never-seen-before footage showing the squad preparing for and during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations. They’ve released the five-part TV series Gwlad Gwlad that goes inside the Welsh Rugby camp to provide this exclusive behind-the-scenes content. In addition, WRU’s physical performance team – who are responsible for turning Wales into one of the fittest teams in world rugby – have put together exercises and nutritional advice for all ages and abilities here.

Edinburgh Rugby

Edinburgh Rugby are hosting a virtual evening of entertainment, with Head Coach Richard Cockerill, Managing Director Douglas Struth, and a number of special guests. Hosted on Zoom, ticket holders will access a live Q&A panel with some of the club’s biggest names from across their illustrious history. Fans will also be able to take part in a live vote for both the try and member of the season so far. Find out more and grab tickets here.

Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby have launched an educational online Kids’ Zone dedicated to helping parents keep their little ones entertained during lockdown. You’ll find everything here from yoga to yummy recipes as well as exercise challenges and even strategies for attacking maths – all with a rugby twist, of course.

Harlequins

Harlequins fans can enjoy watching 2019/2020 season highlights from league matches. They can also try workouts designed by the club’s athletes and coaches, discover nutrition tips and embrace the practice of mindfulness with the team’s in-house specialist Luke Doherty. Find out more about those things here.

Harlequins Mindfulness Coach Luke Doherty on his role at the Club

Watch this video on YouTube

Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks are providing free home learning resources for primary school children and remote physical activity plans for care homes, along with the safe delivery of essential groceries.

Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers are offering free parking to NHS staff in the stadium’s car park.

London Irish

London Irish and their principal sponsor Powerday are delivering more than 100,000 meals to NHS hospitals, with a minimum of 500 meals each day being prepared at the club’s training base.

Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints’ medical staff have volunteered with the NHS.

Saracens

Saracens have launched Lockdown Letters, which sees players and staff writing to people in Feltham Young Offenders and at HM Prison The Mount as part of their Get Onside campaign.

Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors’ players have been running deliveries for housebound fans. The Foundation team have also been keeping in contact with those who would normally attend the weekly Tackling Dementia Sports Cafes at Sixways and in Kidderminster to provide social engagement.

Bristol Bears

Bristol Bears have led community projects in the city including their own Shave, Nominate and Donate team campaign to raise funds for the NHS, as well as run NHS and Bristol City Council “stay home” videos.

Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs have given £100,000 to Exeter Community Well-Being, a new support service which has been launched in the city to help people through the coronavirus outbreak.

Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby are offering help for local businesses along with firework displays in eye-line of the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to thank NHS workers.

Premiership Rugby Highlights

Plus… watch Premiership Rugby season highlights from English sports pundit and former prop David Flatman on their Facebook channel. Flatman represented England eight times between 2000 and 2002, playing club rugby for Saracens and Bath.