The Rugby Football League (RFL) will introduce hydration breaks at all its matches this weekend in expectation of the continued heatwave.
Breaks of at least 90 seconds will be initiated around the 20 and 60-minute marks with additional drinks breaks added if deemed appropriate due to the conditions.
Cold towels, ice and cooling equipment will also be positioned pitchside along with the use of fans and air-conditioned changing facilities where possible.
The RFL said it is responding to advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which has issued an amber extreme heat warning for England and Wales.
“Hydration opportunities will also be maximised during breaks in play and there will be increased access to water and electrolyte-based fluids before, during and after games,” the RFL said in a statement.
”Depending on the severity of conditions, additional drinks breaks will be considered – an extra 90-second break at the half-hour mark and 70 minutes.”
Hydration breaks are currently a staple of the football World Cup in the United States where temperatures have regularly exceeded 30 degrees celsius.
However, the mandated breaks have come under criticism for becoming a instrument for additional advertising, especially in the United States, where fans have complained at coverage returning to the match seconds after it has already resumed.
There have also been complaints at the three-minute length of the stoppages, especially when games aren’t taking place in sweltering temperatures.
During England’s group-stage match with Ghana, fans, pundits and players all bemoaned the contrived first-half stoppage, which followed moments after a lengthy break in play to deal with an injury.
The RFL has confirmed that if such an pause occurs around one of its hydration breaks, the stoppage will be approached differently.
“If a try has been scored or there has been a stoppage for injury management at around this time, the referee will extend the stoppage by a further 60 seconds and this will act as the break,” it said.
