THE summer months need not be a rugby-free zone as the Welsh Rugby Union is promoting touch rugby leagues throughout Wales.

Matches in the Newport Touch Rugby League are held at Caerleon Rugby Club from 6pm to 9pm every Monday evening.

The league is a joint initiative between the WRU and two local people who wanted to increase participation levels and promote the league to a higher standard.

Mark Nicholls and Huw Wilkinson, who plays for Caerleon Rugby Club, aim to encourage more women, teenagers, ex-players and non-rugby players to take part in touch rugby.

“We would also like to promote the health and social benefits by getting involved as the sport provides something for everyone,” said Nicholls.

Touch is a minimal-contact version of rugby played on an area typically half the size of a standard rugby pitch. The game puts emphasis on running, agility, passing, catching and communication.

There is no tackling and no lineouts, scrumming or kicking involved.

Games last a maximum of 40 minutes, divided into two halves, although often games can be shorter in length. At any time no more than six players feature for each side although 'rolling' subs are permitted throughout the match.

In the mixed version there must be at least three women on the pitch at any one time. The game is designed to appeal to a wide range of ages and abilities, from beginners to masters and from slight to heavy builds, both male and female.

For more details visit wrutouch.co.uk