Waratahs, Reds back to grassroots

New South Wales Rugby Union and Queensland Rugby Union on Tuesday announced that Narrabri, in northern New South Wales, will host the Santos Festival of Rugby in February 2021 – with a pre-season game between the Waratahs and the Reds on 5 February the centrepiece of this celebration of Rugby.

Rugby fans will also be treated to some of the best elite men’s sevens talent in Australia going head-to-head over a three-day selection and preparation tournament, organised by Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Tim Walsh ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

The sevens carnival will see Australian squad players line-up against squads from the Queensland and New South Wales sevens programs, as well as representation from an ‘Australia Pacific’ sevens team.

During the Festival, there will also be junior coaching clinics supported by the Classic Wallabies to ensure all parts of the Rugby community are engaged across the festival, which will take place from Wednesday 3 February to Saturday 6 February.

NSWRU CEO Paul Doorn said: “Throughout the last two years we’ve taken games across the state, ensuring a strong connection between grassroots rugby and the Waratahs. A pre-season game, amidst many other events, in the heartland of country NSW will be a great way to start our 2021 season.”