The Rugby Football Union has postponed the start of England’s community rugby season by at least two weeks because drought has left many pitches unsafe for full-contact play. The decision affects clubs, schools and colleges across the country and is intended to reduce injury risks and give the season a fairer, more consistent start.

The season had been due to begin on Saturday 5 September but will now start in the week commencing Monday 21 September. Officials say 71.3% of England is in drought, following the driest July since records began in 1836, and no prolonged rainfall is forecast before the original start date.