Rees-Zammit calls for ban on artificial rugby pitches

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 17:57 · Archive

Bristol wing Louis Rees-Zammit has called for an end to artificial pitches in rugby after suffering friction burns.

Louis Rees-Zammit, a Wales international winger for Bristol Bears, posted an image on social media showing severe friction burns to his right leg after playing on Saracens' artificial pitch during Bristol's 30-7 defeat last Saturday. Alongside the image, he wrote: 'Can we please stop playing on these AstroTurf pitches!! Someone do something about it!!'

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said he had left Pedro Rubiolo, AJ MacGinty and Steven Luatua out of the squad for fear of injury on the surface, having noted that they had sustained significant injuries in the previous season. 'If we were playing the game at home or if it was a semi-final, they would have played,' Lam said.

Saracens were the first Premiership club to install an artificial pitch in 2013, with Newcastle and Gloucester following. A Professional Rugby Injury Surveillance Project report recorded match injury incidence of 89 per 1,000 hours on artificial surfaces against 71 on natural grass and hybrid surfaces in the 2022/23 season. World Rugby allowed players to wear leggings in 2021 to reduce friction burn injuries.

How it is being reported

• Louis Rees-Zammit demands end to artificial Prem pitches after leg burns at SaracensBristol winger: ‘Someone do something about it!’ Pat Lam left three players out because of the pitch Louis Rees-Zammit has called for an end to artificial pitches in the Prem after posting a graphic image of the wounds he sustained during Bristol’s defeat at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium last Saturday. The Wales winger revealed the extent of the friction burns caused to his right leg after running out for the Bears on Saracens’ artificial pitch with the caption: “Can we please stop playing on these AstroTurf pitches!! Someone do something about it!!” Continue reading...The Guardian · 13 Oct, 17:28
• Louis Rees-Zammit calls for ban on artificial pitches: ‘Someone do something’Rees-Zammit’s legs suffered severe friction burns during Bristol’s defeat to SaracensIndependent Sport · 13 Oct, 15:09

In this story: Louis Rees-Zammit · Bristol Bears · Saracens · Pat Lam · Wales · Premiership

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