Avon RFC are deeply disappointed, embarrassed, and angry at having to concede the match that we needed to rearrange against the Rebels from Taunton. This situation has been created as a result of the RFU's inability to correctly schedule a league and to demonstrate flexibility and empathy towards the grassroots game. Initially, we were told that this was a "break" weekend and that no games could be rearranged for this date (as opposed to a "reserve" weekend on which postponed matches could be rearranged). The RFU's official communication on this matter said, "Please rest assured that March 15th will only be used as a last resort as it is recognised that many teams will have had this date in their calendars since the start of the season."

There are still free weekends remaining this season, but we have now been told by the RFU that we are not allowed to use them! It is also noted that this season ends a month earlier than it historically has, but again we have been told that it is not possible to play league rugby in April, which is solely an attempt to promote a different competition and one that we, and many other clubs, have no interest in participating in.

Having been informed that this was a "no play" weekend, a vast majority of our 1st and 2nd teams have made other commitments, including, but not limited to, supporting the England national team in Cardiff. The change in the RFU's stance to go back on this previously announced structured season arrangement has led to it requiring that the re-arranged Rebels fixture should be played this weekend. But the result of the change from a break weekend to a fixture weekend has meant that 13 of the normal 1st team squad and 15 of our more occasional 2nd team players are unavailable. We simply have been left with no alternative other than to concede this match due to a lack of sufficient players to make up a starting team, let alone a squad with substitutes. This is largely attributable to the RFU's change of stance on the break weekend. To add injury to insult, we will also be deducted 5 points. Whilst this does not affect promotion or relegation, it leaves a very bitter taste in our mouths.

Disappointingly, the RFU's stance on this matter seems to be typical of the treatment we are coming to expect from our national governing body, which seems at times to have little consideration for grassroots rugby. At a time when many clubs are fighting for players and for survival, the RFU seems to be out of touch with the troubles we face and the negative effects the actions it takes have on us.

We would ask that the RFU learns from this and reviews its approach to the scheduling of league games and ring fencing designated "break weekends" during the season to either keep them as such, or as a minimum, not penalising clubs that are unable to fulfil fixtures should it be absolutely necessary for a re-arranged fixture to be held on a previously designated break weekend.