‘Try Touch’ Open Days Announced.

Starting this weekend, the IRFU’s brand new Touch Rugby programme will stage free and open events giving anyone interested or curious a chance to try out this alternative minimum contact form of rugby.

Touch rugby is a form of the game where players touch part of the ball carrier, the ball carrier’s clothing or the ball itself, instead of tackling in the harder physical sense of the word.

As its popularity continues to grow worldwide, Templeogue College will be the place where Ireland’s first IRFU Touch leagues are hosted.

The game is played along similar lines to Tag rugby, with a ‘tackle’ made by touching the ball carrier instead of pulling a tag. Touch is an ideal way to keep active and fit during the summer months.

Leagues will initially cater for Mixed (Men and Women), Men and Veterans (also Men only) at Templeogue College with plans to expand further at a future date.

Anyone interested (individual or team) will have the chance to give the game a try by turning up at one of the scheduled Open Day events coming up very shortly. These open days are free of charge.

Leagues will start at the beginning of May with registration fee for a team costing only €395. This works out at under €4 per week per player on a squad.

Notable Dates –

Saturday, April 14 – ‘Try Touch’ Free Open Day
Venue: Aviva Stadium (back pitch), Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4
Time: 11am-2pm

Wednesday, April 18 – ‘Try Touch’ Free Open Day
Venue: Templeogue College, Templeville Roadd, Dublin 6W
Time: 7pm-9pm

Sunday, April 22 – Open Blitz Day
Venue: Templeogue College, Templeville Road, Dublin 6W
Time: From 11am

Tuesday/Wednesday, May 8/9 – Touch Leagues commence
Venue: Templeogue College, Templeville Road, Dublin 6W

Saturday, August 18 – One Day Blitz
Details: to be confirmed

Registrations, fixtures, league tables and other useful information will be available online shortly. Watch this space!

Any queries regarding IRFU Touch may be sent by email to touchrugby@irfu.ie.