RUGBY players who have been without competitive action since March have been given a glimmer of light.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have announced that clubs may start full contact training, with the exception of scrums and mauls and can play games with amended laws from December 18.

Hereford RFC have appointed a coaching team of Scott Sturdy, Alun Richards and Bob Stewart and from early July they have been supervising training sessions whilst observing the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sturdy was recruited as the club's new head coach for the season 2020-21.

He has moved to Hereford after six seasons as head coach at Whitchurch RFC and has worked for the RFU for the last 12 years.

Sturdy is a level-three coach and has vast experience in coaching men’s rugby and numerous representative teams.

"I’m extremely excited to be moving to Hereford RFC," he said.

"The club has a rich history and a good playing base with many talented players coming through their junior section.

"My focus will be on local lads, playing local rugby and us fielding strong senior and under-18 teams."

Richards helped out with coaching at the end of the 2019-20 season and the club is pleased to retain his services this term.

He lives in Ross with wife Hannah and daughter Evalyn and works as a subject leader and rugby coach with the under-18 teams at Hartpury College.

An outside half or full back with a number of senior Welsh premiership clubs, including Swansea, Llandovery, Bonymaen and Merthyr Tydfil, his playing days were cut short due to a serious back injury.

Meanwhile, Stewart is well known within the club as initially a player and then coach.

He will continue to manage the seamless transfer of young players through the Colts and on into the Development and First teams.

It is hoped competitive rugby will be able to restart in the New Year and it is proposed that a truncated season take place with clubs organised into leagues of six or seven on a regional basis.

Hereford have been provisionally placed in a group of six, together with Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Ludlow, Malvern and Worcester.

When the Covid-19 restrictions allow, firm fixture lists will be made.