Why Top Clubs are Switching to Artificial Turf Rugby Pitches

To meet the demands of rugby, a pitch needs to be strong, durable, resilient, safe, and player-friendly. An artificial grass rugby pitch guarantees a year-round facility that allows players to continually develop their teams across all levels, ultimately leading to on-the-field success. With the challenges of our unpredictable climate, artificial turf pitches have become the necessary choice for a weather-proof, safe, and high-quality playing experience.

The Advantages of Artificial Turf in Competitive Rugby

At some stage, thanks to the growing number of artificial turf fields now installed, a player will play competitive rugby on a artificial turf pitch. These surfaces provide a consistent, year-round environment that meets World Rugby Regulation 22 for safety. Players can perform all necessary movements – running, twisting, and tackling – safely and effectively. In competitive matches, artificial turf pitches support faster gameplay.

Breaking down the impact of the pitch to specific areas of the game:

• Scrums – are more stable, with better grip meaning fewer scrums collapse.
• Line outs – a player falling from height is less likely to suffer an injury because of the need to meet a strict fall height test, which is not performed on a natural pitch.
• Tackles – except in very dry conditions, players can go to ground safely and at speed, without any difference to how they would fall on natural grass.
• Ball bounce – is easy to read, more consistent albeit closer to the characteristics on an early season pitch.
• Running – is similar, with speed, acceleration, stopping and change of direction, very similar to high quality natural turf.

How PST Sport Can Help

PST Sport is a Design & Build specialist contractor focusing exclusively on the design and construction of world-class artificial grass pitches. This includes subbase, playing surfaces, and supporting infrastructure such as fencing, lighting, and access for all sports.

We offer a complete construction solution for any pitch development project, whether it’s a greenfield site or re-turfing older pitches, covering design, pitch construction, and project management.

Our comprehensive range of services includes:

Design & Planning
Funding Advice & Business Plans
Subbase Construction
Fencing & Netting
Sports Floodlights
Shockpad & Artificial Grass
Testing Throughout Construction
Pitch Maintenance

With over 12 years’ experience working with some of the biggest names in sport, our portfolio includes over 600 artificial grass pitches with multiple full-size pitches across Ireland and the UK. This includes numerous fields tested and approved to World Rugby, FIFA, GAA & FIH as well as many training size sports surfaces.

Munster Rugby, Virgin Media Park

PST Sport converted the full-size natural grass field at Munster Rugby’s Cork base to a 10,500 sq/m World-Class World Rugby Approved artificial turf pitch. Our Superb EX2 installed at Virgin Media Park is a top level rugby system providing the ultimate rugby performance. The longer Superb fibres are soft to touch, very hard wearing and exceptionally resilient. These are supported by a texturised yarn (“thatch”) that replicates natural grass fibres and holds the sand layer, at the base of the turf, providing better grip for scrummaging and pushing on.

Longford Rugby Club

We completed a state-of-the-art full-size (8,500 sq/m) artificial turf rugby pitch with Superb hyprid carpet at Longford Rugby Club. Project works included full groundworks, the installation of high performance Superb hybrid carpet and shock pad, fencing, lighting and sports netting.

CBS High School, Clonmel

8,750 sq/m World Rugby Approved Artificial Grass Rugby Pitch

This 8,750 sq/m facility meets World Rugby standards, featuring our Max 60 carpet on a performance pad. Works included a PST Base survey to assess ground conditions underneath, full groundworks including the installation of a custom enhanced drainage system, followed by the installation of our Max 60 carpet on a performance pad. Max 60 is extremely durable, incredibly resilient and designed to ensure maximum player safety and give a better rugby performance. The pitch can be played on constantly and drains much faster than natural turf.

Nenagh Ormond Rugby Club

We are currently constructing 2 no. artificial grass pitches for Nenagh Ormond Rugby Club, in Tipperary.

1️⃣ 9,000 sq/m artificial grass pitch to replace the existing grass field
2️⃣ 50m x 40m artificial grass training pitch

One of the biggest advantages of converting from a grass field to an artificial turf playing surface is that that all club members will be able to play rugby all year round.

Malahide RFC

For many clubs, a full-size artificial grass rugby pitch may not be necessary or within budget. PST Sport has installed hundreds of smaller training surfaces for clients across the UK and Ireland. These pitches provide a cost-effective solution, allowing clubs to benefit from high-quality, durable training facilities tailored to their specific needs. Whether for skills training, fitness drills, or small-sided games, our artificial grass pitches can be customised to fit any size area, ensuring that clubs can enjoy the advantages of artificial turf regardless of space constraints.

PST Sport is currently constructing a World Rugby Approved 76m x 53m artificial turf training pitch for Malahide RFC in Dublin.

Get in Touch

By offering a complete turnkey solution, we are the top choice for any club or school looking to build a new pitch or resurface an existing one. We tailor each pitch design to meet our clients’ specific needs, ensuring maximum value for money and a strong return on investment. Our in-house expertise covers every aspect of artificial grass pitch construction, from initial consultation and detailed design to final installation and testing. With the scale, skills, resources, and expertise, we deliver exceptional sports facilities on time and within budget. Contact PST Sport.