The Latest Status Updates on High School, Club, Elite, International and MLR Rugby
High School Rugby
We’ve heard that the OFSSA, the Ontario Federation of School Sports, has cancelled spring sports, so no rugby for a second year. There’s been no decision, as far as we know, about BC School Sports. Under current BC Health regulations, sports wouldn’t be possible, there’s the hope that the BC Health authority will loosen up regulations as the weather warms up and COVID numbers go down. It’s a wait and see situation at the moment.
Club Rugby
The BCRU makes the regulations on this following viaSport guidelines. No changes have been announced and club rugby for March/April is not looking promising.
Elite Rugby
There is a clause in BC Health guidelines for High Performance athletes (see below), this would apply to the Pacific Pride and national teams who operate under the auspices of Rugby Canada. Training is continuing for the national 7s teams and Pacific Pride but no scrimmages, no spectators.
“High performance athletes can train, travel and compete together. They must follow the COVID-19 safety protocols of the provincial or national sports organization they are affiliated with. To qualify as a high-performance athlete, you must be identified by the Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high-performance athlete affiliated with an accredited provincial or national sports organization.”
International Rugby
7s
The Madrid 7s were completed last weekend, it was billed as an Olympic warmup event. The men’s and women’s teams from USA went and finished 3rd in both divisions. The women’s tournament was won by Russia, France finishing 2nd. The men’s tournament was won by Argentina, Kenya finishing 2nd. Canada didn’t send any teams.
XVs
The 6 Nations and professional club rugby continues in Europe. The 6 Nations resumes this weekend with Italy v Ireland, Wales v England and France v Scotland (pending COVID decision Wednesday). Super Rugby Aotearoa in NZ kicks off this weekend and Super Rugby AU continues into week 2 this weekend.
MLR
The MLR season is still on track to start on March 20th. All action will take place in the USA as Toronto Arrows have moved base to Atlanta.