Worcester Warriors join the Artificial Brigade

Worcester set to become the 3rd AP team to lay an artificial pitch.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35988723

Exeter may have to reduce the amount they pay Jack Nowell if this is another pitch they are unable to play him on, though with it using organic infill rather than car tyres he may be ok.

Thanks LT, I hadn't heard about this. I think that when you read the article it does make perfect sense to maximise the amount of use you can get out of your "major asset." Organic infill sounds better than those little black rubber balls you get on 4G pitches too and I wonder if that might slightly change the way the pitch behaves.

Artificial pitches do make so much sense from a commercial viewpoint, and can help foster an all action rugby style. Part of me still misses those grimy muddy days though.

Does anyone know the difference between 3G and 4G pitches? Is there a noticeable difference in playability?

On the 'all action style' point, Glasgow Warriors (or 'the proper Warriors' as I call them...) have played that kind of style for the last four seasons, but have reached a peak in the spring months when the pitches are dryer and the ball is easier to hold on to. Now that Scotstoun is apparently getting a 3G pitch for next season, I'm curious to see how Glasgow play in the winter months.

http://my.telegraph.co.uk/cl1213blog/clyall1213/3/the-difference-between-3g-and-4g-artificial-pitches/

Londontiger you shouldn't miss the grimy muddy days you get to see it every time you go to Welford Road! That pitch is a mess. Think you should join the party.

I am an unsurprisingly a big fan of the artificial pitch. Worcester are making the right decision in my opinion. It encourages an attacking game.

I was a back row forward, of course I loved the grimy muddy days.

Artificial pitches makes sense commercially, but I still have some major concerns about how the rubber infill affects both players joints and the way the ball bounces. Other fear is that it teaches forwards, props especially, dreadful technique at scrum time, and they hence flounder when playing on grass.

LondonTiger wrote:I was a back row forward, of course I loved the grimy muddy days.

Artificial pitches makes sense commercially, but I still have some major concerns about how the rubber infill affects both players joints and the way the ball bounces. Other fear is that it teaches forwards, props especially, dreadful technique at scrum time, and they hence flounder when playing on grass.

I absolutely agree about the impact on the knees. I have no functional cartilage in my left knee. Even after the hyaluronate lubricant injections and cortisone shots my knee screams after playing on the artificial surfaces. It almost seems too soft combined with that strange rebound effect when de-weighting the foot whilst in stride. I have not seen any firm objective data on the subject, but have treated enough patients and discussed with other docs and all agree. I played on grass two weeks ago and my knee was fine afterwards (unlike the rest of my body). I played on artificial turf this past Saturday and my knee was very sore.

Yes cos an all singing and dancing pitch has done wonders for us.

I wonder if the organic infill will help with the impact on joints?

http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/37744-Organic-Infill-Replaces-Car-Tires-in-Turf

Had a quick look on the Internet and it would seem from the article above that there is some evidence that car tyre infill has been linked to cancer...

stub wrote:http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/37744-Organic-Infill-Replaces-Car-Tires-in-Turf

Had a quick look on the Internet and it would seem from the article above that there is some evidence that car tyre infill has been linked to cancer...

Yeah wsn't there some sort of causal link indicated in an American research paper?

Yes it seems that there is some evidence but not nearly enough to prove the link. There's another piece in the telegraph talking about it last year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/health/are-artificial-sports-pitches-causing-cancer/

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yes cos an all singing and dancing pitch has done wonders for us.

A pitch can only do so much. Doesn't help when the opposition is more confident on the surface.

Why would Tigers get a pitch their captain won't play on now?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yes cos an all singing and dancing pitch has done wonders for us.

I was told by the females in my life to never ever sing and never ever dance.