Plastic pitches

[Baz]

Given the upsurge in concern over player welfare, don't they have enough to contend with, without the burns and abrasions caused by artificial surfaces? If Tigers can produce a top-class natural playing surface, surely other clubs could as well. Are there grounds (no pun intended!) for banning plastic pitches? I'd be interested to know the general feeling about them, in general.

[WhitecapTiger]

Don't have to look too far......

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45459&hilit=pitches

and another

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45117&hilit=pitches

Just type "Pitches" into the search bar (top right of page) and you'll be able to see the opinions given on here at various times in the past.

[Mark62]

I used to be anti artificial pitches but have had my mind changed a little over the past months.
My son has recestarted playing a Leicester Forest who in conjunction with the rfu have had the latest generation of pitch installed. I am reliably informed that this is still 3G as there is no such thing as 4 G.

To date other than some abrasions and the reduction in stud purchase, once you start to be driven backwards it’s very hard to stop, I have been very impressed by what I have seen, and is certainly an upgrade on some of the bogs which usually start appearing at this time of year.

Tigers, and I believe now Gloucester have a hybrid pitch, grass woven into a plastic substrate, which I think is preferable, but certainly the latest generation of plastic pitches is a huge generon the Saracens pitch and for me there are more pros than cons

[Baz]

Interesting, especially from someone who has practical experience. Thanks

[voice of the crumbie]

Perhaps we should ask Telusa what he thinks following his injury on Saturday.

[Mark62]

Perhaps we should ask Telusa what he thinks following his injury on Saturday.

I didn’t see the injury how much was caused by the pitch and how much the challenge.

As I said the Saracens is the oldest of these surfaces and does need updating, I’m not sure for instance that the newer Newcastle pitches has caused an increase in injuries

[BFG]

If you are playing amateur rugby at somewhere like LFE then 3G pitches are fine but chuck in full time trained professionals and the intensity is raised to another level.
The grip and speed is more than natural grass.
Sarries have had theirs for a while and they do seem to possess an intensity that is above most others.
I'm looking at clubs like Worcester and Newcastle and beginning to see an increase in their ability to play at a higher intensity but not yet as consistent as Sarries in their playing style so it'll be very interesting to see how that develops over the next few years.
It may be the case that other clubs are forced to convert to similar type pitches just to keep up.

[Hot_Charlie]

Plastic pitches are great that you can use them everyday of the week if you need to.

Currently, I don’t think we do, and grass is far nicer.

[ellis9]

Plastic pitches are great that you can use them everyday of the week if you need to.

Currently, I don’t think we do, and grass is far nicer.

We need to use it once every 2 or 3 weeks.

[biffer]

Given the upsurge in concern over player welfare, don't they have enough to contend with, without the burns and abrasions caused by artificial surfaces? If Tigers can produce a top-class natural playing surface, surely other clubs could as well. Are there grounds (no pun intended!) for banning plastic pitches? I'd be interested to know the general feeling about them, in general.

To be fair, the Tigers pitch isn't a 'natural' surface, it's a hybrid with a plastic root system. Natural grass grows through it to give a grass surface, which maintains its integrity because of the artificial fibres. Hybrids are the future IMO.

[JP14]

+1 biffer

[Mark62]

Another plus 1 hybrid are definitely the way forward for top level rugby.

The point was made earlier that artificial pitches are better for frequent usage such as at junior clubs. Again I agree with this and it also means club can help their local community more in providing an all year round playing surface to train on for any sport.

Only slight problem is the few hundred thousand quid to get one in the first place

[Tigerbeat]

it's a hybrid system. 100% grass surface with a synthetic support carpet underneath

[biffer]

it's a hybrid system. 100% grass surface with a synthetic support carpet underneath

Pretty sure that's what I said.

[strawclearer]

it's a hybrid system. 100% grass surface with a synthetic support carpet underneath

Pretty sure that's what I said.