OXFORDSHIRE’S clubs can play their first 15-a-side contact matches of the season later this month.

The government has given the green light for the community game to resume, with training allowed from yesterday and friendlies taking place from Friday, December 18.

Several law variations will come into force to limit face-to-face contact, including free-kicks instead of scrums, no mauls and a maximum of seven players per team in a lineout.

The community game starts at National League 1, where Chinnor are one of the sides to compete.

The Thame-based club has entered their first, third and fourth teams into voluntary competitions in the new year.

Chinnor’s first XV will play in the NCA Cup competition, where teams in National Leagues 1 and 2 would compete.

This would begin with regional mini-leagues, before clubs are split into cup, plate and bowl knockout competitions with the finals potentially played at Twickenham.

Chinnor’s third XV have been entered into Berks, Bucks & Oxon 1 East in the South West RFU Competition, while the fourths will be in Berks, Bucks & Oxon 3 North East.

Friendlies will be arranged for the second and women’s teams when possible.