WHILE other sports have been able to return to the pitch, rugby teams are still forced to await further instructions.

Kendal Rugby Club was able to get back to training in July and has now returned to low level contact during sessions on a limited basis, in accordance with the Rugby Football Union's Return to Play plan.

Head coach Garry Holmes said: “We are still under a lot of restrictions. Especially contact wise.

“We are allowed 15 minutes of contact in each session.

“The lads really want to do more of it, but it’s all we can do at the moment.

“It’s one-on-one so we can’t really put that in a game structure which makes it tough at times.

“It’s easy to understand.

"Ee aren’t the only ones going through this.

“Who knows what the effects of this could be on a player after all this time.

"Hopefully it will make them eager to get back playing.

"With other sports like football back playing, and other sports, some lads are finding other things to do.

"It’s just the reality of things at the moment.

"Physical contact is such a big thing for us so that high risk that is associated with us is getting to some people and it’s putting us behind the other sports.

“The die-hard lads will always be with us, but the new guys who are sampling the sport may draft out in lockdown.

“We are hoping to be back in January but who knows how it will turn out.

"In the meantime, we are doing our best - doing what we can and always welcome new players to come and join our training.”

“The only thing to do is try and be as creative as we can because we are restricted on what types of contact we can do. For example, we can’t do any scrums, or competitive line outs for the time being.

“It’s just one vs one tackles for now.

“But we have the time now to look at what happens before the tackle.

“What does their foot work look like? What’s the best way to close the distance? Where’s the best place to be right before the tackle and how can you use that space effectively?

“We are doing a lot of fitness, so we are keeping in shape.

“We’ve changed how training is conducted.

“On Tuesday night we do individual skill sessions.

"We break into smaller groups and work on individual goals.

"Last night we did scrum shapes, and a bit of work in the line outs with the hookers.

“We are working on touch games and setting little challenges for the lads like setting up passes and creating spaces when they need to.

"It’s a lot of theoretical stuff but it keeps our heads in the game.

"All we can do is work with what we have and be as creative as possible.”