Rugby Union Pitch Fencing for Clubs
Overview
Product Spec
Club Level Guide
Pricing
Installation
Test Reports
FAQs
Funding
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Built for the Run-Off Rugby Actually Needs
The Norvale Sport PVCu perimeter fence system, specified for the rugby union playing enclosure — where World Rugby Law 1 demands a far wider run-off than football. Player-safe, maintenance-free, independently tested. UK-wide supply, with fully managed installation across the North of England and expanding.
✓ Set beyond the Law 1 perimeter ✓ 15-Year Warranty ✓ Independently Tested ✓ Zero Maintenance ✓ RFU & Sport England funding routes
⚠ Rugby run-off is much wider than football — do not use a football setback
Under World Rugby Law 1, the perimeter area around the field of play should be 5 metres wide where practicable, and no less than 3.5m for the men's game or 3.0m for the women's game. A fence set at a football distance of 1.83m or 2.25m sits inside the minimum perimeter and is neither compliant nor safe. World Rugby is also explicit that reducing the perimeter below five metres should only follow a documented risk assessment.
Two ways to buy
Whether your club has a capable groundsman or wants a professionally managed installation, there is an option to suit. Delivery is charged as a separate itemised line on every quote.
Supply Only
Complete product kit delivered direct to your ground, anywhere in the UK — posts, rails, mesh panels, gates and all hardware. Delivery is £500 flat with Moffett off-load, itemised separately. Full installation guide and phone support included throughout.
Best for: Clubs with a capable groundsman or volunteer team
Most Popular 
Supply & Install
We supply the product and manage the full installation through our vetted contractor network across the North of England, and we are expanding. You receive a fully installed perimeter barrier, set correctly beyond the run-off, ready for the season.
Best for: Clubs wanting a professional, hassle-free installation
Why rugby union clubs install a perimeter barrier
A permanent barrier separates spectators from the playing enclosure, protects the pitch, and gives the ground a professional presentation. In a collision sport where players cross the touchline at speed with no prospect of stopping, what they meet at the end of the run-off matters — which is why a barrier that flexes on impact is the right choice at pitch level. Three variants are available: double mesh, single mesh and post & rail. See pricing by level.
Funding for rugby union clubs runs on different rails to football
The Premier League Stadium Fund and the Football Foundation are both football-only and are not open to rugby union clubs. The routes here are the RFU's grant schemes and Grant Finder, Sport England and National Lottery community funding, alongside local authority sources. Your Constituent Body is the right first call. See the full funding guide.
Why PVCu over traditional fencing?
| Feature | Norvale Sport System | Traditional Steel Rail | Timber Post & Rail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact on a player | Flexes and absorbs | Rigid, unforgiving | Hard; splinters with age |
| Maintenance required | None — ever | Repaint every 2–3 years | Regular treatment & replacement |
| Independently tested | UV, temperature & factory audit | Rarely independently tested | Rarely independently tested |
| DIY installation | Yes — guide & support included | Requires specialist welder | Possible but skilled work |
| Warranty | 15 years | Varies | 1–5 years typically |
| Appearance | Bright white — permanently | Can look industrial | Greys and weathers over time |
| Ball retention | Double mesh keeps the ball in play | Depends on infill | No infill — ball exits easily |
Steel is worth naming fairly: it is a legitimate and durable barrier material, and where a site needs a secure boundary as well as a pitch barrier, steel for the outer line and PVCu beside the pitch is the sensible combination. Our materials comparison sets out the whole-life costs.
Our fence system range
Three variants sharing the same posts, rails and finish. The difference is the mesh infill.
Double Mesh
Double-layer welded mesh infill. Maximum ball retention and the cleanest appearance. The professional standard at National League level and above.
Recommended: all levelsSingle Mesh
Single-layer welded mesh infill. A solid spectator barrier at a more accessible price. Well matched to Regional and community clubs.
Suitable: Regional and community levelPost & Rail
Three-rail system, no mesh infill. A clear pitch boundary at entry-level price. Best for junior and recreational grounds.
Entry level: junior & communitySystem Specification
Complete technical specification. All dimensions nominal. Three variants available — see the level guide for our recommendation.
⚠ Setting out a rugby barrier — the perimeter comes first
Under World Rugby Law 1 the perimeter area around the field of play should be 5 metres where practicable, and never less than 3.5m (men's) or 3.0m (women's). The barrier sits beyond that perimeter, not within it. Remember the in-goal areas add between 6m and 22m at each end — measure from the dead-ball line, not the try line, or you will under-order by a considerable margin. World Rugby also recommends the run-off surface matches the field of play for at least the first 2.5m.
Recommended
All levels5.0m
Law 1 recommendation where practicable. Our default for any new installation.
Men's minimum
Law 1 floor3.5m
Below 5m only following a documented risk assessment.
Women's minimum
Law 1 floor3.0m
Below 5m only following a documented risk assessment.
In-goal depth
Adds to each end6–22m
Measured from try line to dead-ball line. Include it in your perimeter.
Double Mesh Specification
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Post | 127 × 127mm PVCu, 1,800mm supplied length |
| Rail | 2,449.2mm overall with a 38.1mm tenon at each end · 3 rails per bay · sliding mortise connection |
| Bay centres | 2,500mm |
| Mesh infill | Double-layer welded steel mesh, white powder-coated, 155 × 75mm hole size |
| Barrier height | 1.1m to the top of the top rail. Post stands 1,200mm above ground to the post top |
| Post hole | 300mm diameter × 750mm deep |
| Post embedment | 600mm · 150mm concrete base, concrete surround to 150mm below ground, 150mm soil backfill |
| Concrete per post | Approximately 85kg — four to five 20kg bags |
| Rail expansion gap | 10–12mm between rail sections at each post |
| Gate modules | Single 2,024mm overall (1,643mm clear) · Double 3,637mm overall (3,256mm clear) |
| Testing | Independently tested and audited — UV resistance, high temperature, low temperature, factory quality audit. UV weathering to ASTM G154 returned a colour change of ΔE 0.70 after 1,000 hours |
| Colour | Bright white PVCu throughout — posts, rails and mesh infill |
| Hardware | Grade 304 stainless steel throughout |
Full setting-out detail is on our installation guide.
Gate Options
Recommended gate configuration for a rugby ground
As standard: 2 × 3.0m double gates for machinery and emergency vehicle access, and 2 × 1.5m single gates for players and match officials. Position gates clear of the in-goal areas and away from the corners. Grounds with dugouts or a physio area usually want an additional single gate adjacent to each. Single gate £500, double gate £1,000, both ex VAT.
3.0m double machinery gate with mesh infill and Grade 304 stainless hardware.
| Gate Type | Specification |
|---|---|
| Single gate (pedestrian) | 1.5m nominal — 2,024mm module, 1,643mm clear. Hinges pre-fitted, double steel lattice infill, white PVCu |
| Double gate (machinery) | 3.0m nominal — 3,637mm module, 3,256mm clear. Hinges pre-fitted, double panel kit, white PVCu |
| Gate posts | 127 × 127mm, doubled up at each hinge and latch position for rigidity |
| Hinges | Grade 304 stainless steel, 3.5" — non-self-closing standard; self-closing on request |
| Latch | Grade 304 stainless steel, 3" single latch |
| Drop bolt | 24" Grade 304 stainless steel — secures a double gate open or closed |
Rugby Union Club Level Guide — The RFU Pyramid
The English rugby union pyramid runs from the Gallagher Premiership down through the National Leagues and Regional divisions to community rugby. Unlike football, the RFU does not publish a prescriptive level-by-level fencing specification — but a permanent barrier is increasingly expected as clubs climb.
There is no RFU approval scheme for fencing
Worth stating plainly, because the claim gets made. The RFU operates no approval, endorsement or certification scheme for perimeter fencing products, and no supplier is "RFU approved". What exists is World Rugby Law 1, which governs the playing enclosure and the perimeter area, and the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, which sets out crowd safety guidance for grounds that need it. A product can be specified to meet those; it cannot be approved by them.
| RFU Level | Competition | Leagues / Divisions | Perimeter Guidance | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Gallagher Premiership | PREM Rugby (10 clubs) | Full stadium compliance. Safety of Sports Grounds Act applies at licensed grounds. | Double Mesh |
| Level 2 | Champ Rugby | Elior Champ Rugby (14 clubs) | Minimum Operating Standards apply. Permanent perimeter barrier expected; ground inspections carried out. | Double Mesh |
| Level 3 | National League 1 | National League 1 (14 clubs) | Permanent perimeter barrier strongly advised. RFU ground inspections at this level. | Double Mesh |
| Level 4 | National League 2 | National League 2 North | East | West (14 clubs each) | Permanent perimeter barrier recommended. Clubs aspiring upward should be inspection-ready. | Double Mesh |
| Level 5 | Regional 1 | Six regional divisions, approx 12 clubs each | Permanent barrier recommended, particularly for clubs with promotion ambitions. | Single Mesh or Double Mesh |
| Level 6 | Regional 2 | Multiple regional leagues below Regional 1 | Perimeter fencing recommended for spectator safety and ground presentation. | Single Mesh or Post & Rail |
| Level 7+ | County & Community | County leagues, club XVs, junior and mini rugby | No formal requirement. A boundary helps with pitch protection and presentation. | Post & Rail |
Guidance descriptions reflect our understanding of expectations at each level rather than a published RFU fencing mandate, which does not exist. Always confirm ground requirements with your Constituent Body or competition organiser.
Why install double mesh at Regional level and below?
Future-proofing for promotionClimbing the Regional leagues into National League 2 and above brings the expectation of a permanent professional barrier. Install once, correctly.
Player safetyRugby is a collision sport and players cross the touchline at speed. A flexible barrier at the end of a proper run-off is the safest combination available.
Grant applicationsFunders assessing a facility improvement generally look more favourably on a permanent, specified barrier than on post and rope.
Club presentationA white PVCu perimeter transforms the look of a ground, which matters for sponsors, recruitment and matchday atmosphere.
Pricing by RFU Level — Per Linear Metre
All prices ex VAT. Based on a full-size rugby union ground: 100m field of play, 10m in-goal areas at each end, 70m wide, with the barrier set at the Law 1 recommended 5m perimeter — giving a fence line of 130m × 80m, a gross perimeter of 420 metres and 409m of fencing once gate modules are deducted.
⚠ A rugby ground needs far more fence than a football pitch
The combination of in-goal areas and a 5m perimeter means a rugby union ground typically needs 409m of fencing against 353m for a football pitch — 56 metres more, or about £5,100 at supply-and-install rates. Budget on the rugby figure, not a football one. If your in-goals are deeper than 10m the figure rises further: at 22m in-goals the gross perimeter reaches 468m.
How the perimeter is calculated
Field of play 100m between try lines, plus 10m in-goal at each end = 120m. Plus a 5m perimeter each end = 130m. Width 70m plus 5m each side = 80m. Gross perimeter = (130 + 80) × 2 = 420m. Gate modules are then deducted, not added, because each gate occupies part of the run rather than extending it — two 3.0m doubles and two 1.5m singles take out 11.3m, leaving 409m of fence. Your ground will differ — use the calculator below.
Gates and delivery are itemised separately
Single gate (1.5m) £500 · double gate (3.0m) £1,000 · delivery £500 flat with Moffett off-load. All ex VAT and shown as separate lines on every quote, never folded into the metre rate.
| RFU Level | Barrier Specification | Est. Fence Run | Supply Only per metre ex VAT |
Install per metre ex VAT |
Supply & Install per metre ex VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1Gallagher Premiership | Double Mesh — full spec | 409m | £59.00 | £32.00 | £91.00 |
| Level 2Champ Rugby | Double Mesh — full spec | 409m | £59.00 | £32.00 | £91.00 |
| Level 3National League 1 | Double Mesh — full spec | 409m | £59.00 | £32.00 | £91.00 |
| Level 4National League 2 N/E/W | Double Mesh recommended | 409m | £59.00 | £32.00 | £91.00 |
| Level 5Regional 1 | Single Mesh or Double Mesh | 409m | £54.00 | £30.00 | £84.00 |
| Level 6Regional 2 | Single Mesh or Post & Rail | 409m | £54.00 | £30.00 | £84.00 |
| Level 7+County / Community | Post & Rail | 409m | £49.00 | £28.00 | £77.00 |
All prices ex VAT and exclude gates and delivery, which are itemised separately. On a 409m ground, double mesh supplied and installed with four gates and delivery comes to £40,719 ex VAT.
Supply is UK-wide; installation is currently across the North of England and expanding. Supply-only pricing sits below Duralock's reseller trade price of £59.80/m and around 14% below their retail list.
Calculate Your Ground Perimeter
Enter your full playing area including in-goals — dead-ball line to dead-ball line, and touchline to touchline. The calculator adds the Law 1 perimeter on all four sides and deducts gate widths from the run.
Fenced perimeter (m)
Est. posts required
Est. mesh panels
Indicative quantities at a 5m perimeter and 2,500mm bay centres. Contact us for exact specification and pricing.
Installation
The system is designed to be installed by any competent, organised team. Every supply-only order includes a printed installation guide. The full method, with dimensions, is on our installation guide page.
⚠ Safety first
Installation should only be carried out by skilled, competent personnel. Wear PPE including protective gloves and appropriate footwear, and scan for buried services before digging. Use only genuine Norvale Sport components — substituting third-party parts voids the 15-year warranty. If in doubt, choose supply & install.
Order enough concrete
Each post hole takes approximately 85kg of concrete — four to five 20kg bags. On a 409m rugby perimeter of about 164 posts, that is close to 14 tonnes. Check the arithmetic before delivery day.
Site survey & mark-out
Establish the fence line beyond the Law 1 perimeter — 5m from the touchline and dead-ball line where practicable, never less than 3.5m men's or 3.0m women's. Measure from the edge of the playing surface, and include the in-goal areas at each end. Mark post positions at 2,500mm centres and confirm gate positions, keeping them clear of the in-goals and corners.
Dig post holes
Dig 300mm diameter holes to 750mm deep. Consistent depth is what keeps the rail line level. An auger is strongly recommended — a rugby perimeter is around 164 holes.
Set posts in concrete
Lay a 150mm concrete base and stand the post on it at 600mm embedment, leaving 1,200mm above ground. Fill the surround to 150mm below ground level, check plumb and line, then leave undisturbed for a minimum of 24 hours. Backfill the top 150mm with soil once cured.
Install rails
Slide rails into the mortise holes — three per bay, engaged to the full 38.1mm tenon. Leave a 10–12mm expansion gap between rail sections at each post. PVCu moves with temperature and a run fitted tight in January will bow in July.
Install mesh panels
Panels clip into the pre-drilled holes in the rails. No additional fixings or specialist tools needed. Work bay by bay.
Fit gates
Gate posts are doubled up — two side by side at each hinge and latch position. Allow 2,024mm for a single module and 3,637mm for a double. Hinges are pre-fitted; fit latches and drop bolts on site. Check every gate swings, latches and that drop bolts engage.
Final inspection
Walk the perimeter. Check rails seated with the correct expansion gap, panels fully home, gates working. Measure the run-off on all four sides from the edge of the playing surface and record it, and confirm no gap is left between the barrier and any spectator standing area.
Tools Required
Required Auger / post hole borer
Required Cement mixer
Required Measuring tape (50m+)
Required Plumb line & spirit level
Required String line & stakes
Required Hand saw / mitre saw
Required Concrete & water supply
Required Cordless drill
Required Protective gloves & PPE
Advised 10mm spacer
Advised Cable / service detector
Advised Wheelbarrow
Advised Safety boots
Advised Knee pads
Test Reports
Our performance claims are backed by independent laboratory testing and a factory quality audit. Reports are available on request and are supplied as standard with every quote and specification pack.
What these documents are
These are independent test reports and a factory audit, not a product certification scheme — no such scheme exists for pitch perimeter fencing, and any supplier claiming their product is "certified" or "approved" by a governing body should be asked to produce the certificate. We would rather be precise about what we hold. Request the reports and we will send them with your specification within 24 hours.
Independently Tested
UV Resistance Test Report
PVCu maintains colour stability and structural integrity under prolonged UV exposure. Weathering to ASTM G154 returned a colour change of ΔE 0.70 after 1,000 hours.
Request report →
Independently Tested
High Temperature Test Report
No deformation, material failure or dimensional change at high temperatures.
Request report →
Independently Tested
Low Temperature Test Report
No cracking, brittleness or failure at low temperatures. Year-round UK durability confirmed.
Request report →
Independently Audited
Factory Quality Audit
Manufacturing facility independently audited. Product made under controlled, consistent conditions for every order.
Request report →
15-Year Warranty
Product Warranty
Full 15-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and material failure, valid when installed using genuine Norvale Sport components.
Request warranty →
Specified to
Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds
Our system is specified to meet the pitch perimeter barrier guidance in the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, the crowd safety reference used at licensed grounds. Note that no governing body operates an approval scheme for fencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything rugby union clubs ask about pitch perimeter fencing. Can't find your answer? Call us on 01282 526428.
How far from the pitch should the barrier be?
Further than football, and this is the question most often got wrong. World Rugby Law 1 states the perimeter area should be 5 metres wide where practicable, and no less than 3.5m for the men's game or 3.0m for the women's. The barrier sits beyond that perimeter. A fence at a football setback of 1.83m or 2.25m would sit inside the minimum run-off. Reducing below 5m should follow a documented risk assessment, and World Rugby recommends the run-off surface matches the field of play for at least the first 2.5m.
Do I include the in-goal areas when measuring?
Yes, and forgetting to is the second most common error. In-goal areas add between 6m and 22m at each end, measured from try line to dead-ball line. Measure your full playing area dead-ball line to dead-ball line, then add the perimeter on all four sides. A ground with 10m in-goals needs around 56 metres more fencing than a football pitch.
Does the RFU require clubs to have perimeter fencing?
The RFU does not publish a prescriptive level-by-level fencing specification the way the FA does for football. What applies is World Rugby Law 1, governing the playing enclosure and perimeter, and at licensed grounds the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. At National League level and above, ground inspections take place and a permanent barrier is expected in practice. There is no RFU approval scheme for fencing products and no supplier is RFU approved.
What funding is available to rugby union clubs?
Not the football routes — the Premier League Stadium Fund and the Football Foundation are both closed to rugby union clubs. The routes here are the RFU's grant schemes and Grant Finder, Sport England, National Lottery community funding and local authority sources. Your Constituent Body is the right first call, since they manage access to RFU facility grants through the CB facility planning process.
What are the three fence systems?
Double mesh — double-layer welded mesh infill, maximum ball retention, the professional standard at National League level and above. Single mesh — single-layer mesh, a solid barrier at a more accessible price, well matched to Regional and community clubs. Post & rail — three rails, no mesh, entry-level boundary for junior and recreational grounds.
Can we install it ourselves?
Yes. Supply only is designed for clubs with a competent groundsman or capable volunteer team. No specialist equipment or welding required. Every supply-only order includes a printed installation guide and our team are available by phone throughout. Bear in mind a rugby perimeter is around 164 post holes, so a mechanical auger is close to essential.
Do you install across the whole UK?
Supply is UK-wide — we deliver anywhere in the country, with delivery itemised at £500 flat with Moffett off-load. Our managed supply & install service currently covers the North of England and is expanding. If your ground sits outside that area, tell us where you are: we will either confirm we can reach you or supply the product for your own contractor, with the installation guide and phone support included either way.
Do we need planning permission?
At 1.1m barrier height, planning permission is generally not required in England under permitted development rights. Confirm with your local planning authority in writing before installation and keep the confirmation — some funders require evidence of it before approving a grant.
What warranty does the product carry?
A 15-year product warranty, covering manufacturing defects and material failure, valid when installed using genuine Norvale Sport components throughout.
Funding Your Rugby Union Club Fencing
Several grant streams are open to rugby union clubs for facility improvements including perimeter fencing. The football routes are not among them.
⚠ The football funds are closed to rugby union clubs
If you have read our football pages, note that the Premier League Stadium Fund and the Football Foundation are both football-only. Neither is open to a rugby union club, regardless of level. The routes below are the ones that apply.
Can clubs use grant funding to buy from us?
Yes. There is no exclusive preferred supplier list on any of these routes. We provide the full specification document, marked-up site plan, itemised quote and schedule of works needed to support an application, free of charge with any enquiry. To be clear about our role: we provide the paperwork — we do not secure funding and have no influence over the decision.
RFU Facility Investment
Via your Constituent Body
The RFU delivers facility investment to clubs through its Constituent Body facility planning process, with club needs established through the CB facility audit.
- Access managed through your Constituent Body
- Club needs established via the CB facility audit
- Contact your CB or RFU Facility Development Team
- Priorities and available funds vary by year — check current position
RFU Grant Finder
Free search tool
The RFU provides a free grant search facility letting clubs search thousands of grants and loans covering facilities, equipment and ground improvements including fencing.
- Free to use — search by project type and location
- Covers RFU, Sport England, local authority and charitable funds
- Regularly updated with new opportunities
- Your County RFU can advise on local funding
Sport England
Movement Fund
Sport England funding is available to rugby clubs for facility improvements, and the RFU directs clubs to it as part of its standard funding guidance.
- Open to clubs with appropriate constitution and tenure
- Covers capital improvements including fencing
- Use the Sport England fund finder
- RFU Facility Development Team can assist with applications
How to Apply — Step by Step
Contact your Constituent Body
Your County RFU is the first port of call for facility funding. They manage access to RFU facility grants through the CB facility audit process and will know what is currently available in your area.
Use the RFU Grant Finder
Search the RFU's free grant finder to identify grants relevant to your project type and location, then shortlist those you are eligible for before writing anything.
Get a specification and quote from us
Most applications require a specification showing proposed works, dimensions and cost. Send us your ground dimensions — dead-ball line to dead-ball line — and we will return everything within 24 hours, free of charge.
Confirm your planning position
At 1.1m barrier height permission is generally not required, but confirm with your local authority in writing and keep it for the application.
Submit, then order only on written approval
Submit via the relevant fund's portal. Place your order once approved and not before — retrospective applications are rarely accepted.
We will support your application
Full specification sheet, drawings, measurements, schedule of works and cost breakdown for your RFU, Sport England or Lottery application — free with any enquiry. Contact us and we will have everything with you within 24 hours.
Get a Free Quote
Tell us about your club and we will provide a detailed, no-obligation quote within 24 hours, with the specification documents a grant application needs.
Quick Quote Request
RFU Ground Requirements
RFU Requirements Explained
Rugby League Pitch Fencing
Football Pitch Fencing
Double Mesh Fencing
All Sports Fencing
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