Less ruts more rucks

The world of rugby is ever changing with the IRB introducing new laws to help improve the game. These changes are forward thinking actions to maximize the game as a spectacle and make it a more inviting sport for today’s youth. The latest development for consideration is the use of synthetic pitches for competitive matches.

TigerTurf have already gained a positive reputation within the rugby world with installations at many of England’s Premiership training grounds, Twickenham and the WRU head quarters in the Vale hotel Cardiff. TigerTurf are confident in how their products perform, with systems already in place that surpasses the IRB and FIFA performance standards. The latest developments in synthetic turf have given rise a very natural feeling surface and without the negative effects the bad weather brings this may allow, for a more attractive brand of rugby to played. Please read the below an article taken from the telegraph online.

In a move which is bound to anger traditionalists, Premier Rugby, the organisation which represents England's top 12 clubs, is actively considering switching to artificial surfaces to improve rugby as a spectacle. The proposals are part of a five-year strategy designed to increase club rugby's profile in the build up to the 2015 World Cup which will take place in England.
"We will be taking a hard look at pitches over the summer," confirmed Mark McCafferty, Premier Rugby's chief executive.
"Notwithstanding the fact that it was a particularly hard winter, some of the pitches were not acceptable. Our understanding is that Fifa and the International Rugby Board are working closely to see if the new generation artificial pitches can accommodate both rugby and football.
"We want to ensure consistent surfaces in the hope that they will lead to higher quality games. I don't see it in place for next season but it could happen later."
 
Rugby union has already made significant moves to remove the more capricious elements from the sport. The roof on the Millennium stadium is closed regularly when Wales play and the Welsh team often trains indoors on an artificial pitch at their Vale of Glamorgan base, as did the British and Irish Lions ahead of their 2005 tour to New Zealand. Synthetic turf is already in use on the training pitches at Newcastle Falcons and Murrayfield, but it has never previously been considered suitable for competitive matches at the elite end of the game. However, problems at several Premiership grounds this season, particularly Sale's, has forced Premier Rugby to take action.
"The quality of the product is crucial to us," said McCafferty, who confirmed the experiment where referees are instructed to favour attacking teams, would be continued next season. Quite what traditionalists will make of a sport which is becoming increasingly contrived remains to be seen.
 
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/7696698/Premiership-rugby-clubs-plan-to-play-on-artificial-pitches.html