Artificial grass pitches supplement good quality natural turf pitches – the enduring surface for rugby union – by providing playing, training and education facilities with a consistent surface throughout the year upon which the game can develop.

The RFU has produced some useful guidance documents on artificial grass pitches:

• Detailed guide to Artificial Grass Pitches

Insurance Cover for Artificial Pitches

The RFU Insurance cover acknowledges the use of artificial grass pitches and provides cover in the normal way, subject to permission having been given by the RFU to the home club/operator.

Artifical Grass Pitch Regulations

In 2003 World Rugby produced the “Performance Specification for Artificial Grass Pitches for Rugby”, more commonly known as “Regulation 22” that provides the game – and suppliers – with the necessary technical detail to produce pitch systems that are appropriate for rugby union.

The artificial surface standards identified in Regulation 22 allows matches to be played on surfaces that meet the standard.

Full contact activity, including tackling, rucking and mauling, scrummaging and lineouts can take place. The standards are designed to provide an artificial surface that mimics a good natural turf pitch.

It also sets out the testing protocols required for suppliers and clubs/operators to ensure the pitches meet – and continue to meet – the required criteria.

• World Rugby Regulation 22

If it is proposed to use the artificial grass pitch in any match in an RFU competition, please note RFU Regulation 13.7.2 below:

13.7.2 Where an artificial pitch is to be used, the club where the pitch is situated must:

• Comply with World Rugby Regulation 22; and
• If it proposes to use the artificial pitch in any match or matches in an RFU competition, inform the Committee in writing at least 30 days before the start of the season or, if during the season, at least 30 days (or such a shorter period as the Committee may agree in an emergency) prior to such artificial pitch being used for a match in any RFU competition

Artficial Grass Pitch testing

For player welfare, health and safety and insurance reasons, all artificial grass pitches that host ‘contact’ rugby union must be tested upon installation and then retested every two years in order to comply with World Rugby Regulation 22.

The test must be undertaken by a World Rugby accredited test house, of which there are three operating in the UK:

Labosport: Contact Carolyn Webb, 0115 9681998, carolyn.webb@labosport.co.uk

Sports Labs: Contact Keith Macpherson 07943 846 611, keith@sportslabs.co.uk

Surface Performance: Contact 0208 2465562, info@surfaceperformance.com

If the test demonstrates that your facility meets the relevant standard, formal permission will be granted by the RFU for the next two year phase.