Fortunes were starting to change for Tamworth RUFC player Connor McEntee as his side were regaining last season’s form and climbing the table.
But, Tamworth’s ambitions were brought to a sudden halt as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) postponed all competitive rugby union matches in the country until further notice.
Playing two games a week was a suggestion put forward to the RFU but McEntee believes this wouldn’t have been a good idea.
“I think the physical nature of the game wouldn’t allow for most teams to play twice a week, meaning there’s no way the season can be completed, so I think cancelling the season is the right thing to do,” he said.
For Tamworth, a cancelled season isn’t ruinous as they lie in midtable, neither in danger of relegation nor close enough to promotion to feel too aggrieved.
However, for some players like McEntee, rugby provides more than just 80 minutes of exercise and competition.
“Hopefully next season can get underway as soon as possible as very quickly sharpness and chemistry can be lost. I will miss the lads and the camaradarie very much,” he said.
Tamworth play in the Midlands 2 West (North) league and they are hoping to have a run at promotion next season after missing out in the play-offs two seasons ago.
The second-row said: “It feels wrong to be thinking about this now, but when the season starts we want to get promoted under our new coach. In a time like this, having such a goal can help you stay motivated.”
Tamworth RUFC offers much more than just a platform to play rugby. The clubhouse is often used for players, family members and supporters to drink after matches and come together to watch international games on the TVs. This provides vital income to the club and the 21-year-old hopes this can return soon.
“A lot of us at the club live our lives around rugby, looking forward to training and matches every week and the craic we have after in the clubhouse, obviously we back the RFU’s decision but we’re missing all aspects of the game a fair bit,” he adds.
