Reading around the web this morning it seems that Widnes' artificial pitch wasn't popular with players last night. There are reports of injuries resembling carpet burns.

Has anyone seen what these iPitches are like? Do they resemble real grass or is it like that stuff the butcher has in the window?

Great idea but not for Rugby IMO.

Yes the guys are tough but playing on that stuff week in week out will tare there knees and elbows to shreds.

I can see the players having to wear some sort of protection in the future.

Ian Sibbit on twitter: "Margin meter has just predicted grazed knees when I play at widnes."

To be fair we need to see it in different weather conditions. I suspect there would have been grazes if they'd played on a frosty grass pitch too...

And it did contribute to an excellent game. So often the early season games are ruined by bad weather, but last nights game was a fast flowing and enjoyable spectacle.

However, I imagine we'll see a few players in tights before long

Maybe even on the pitch.

I think they are similar to astroturf but the next stage up, and whereas grass will rip away if you slide over it these dont so you could get carpet burns and also if someone turns fast they turf stays fixed and does not have the give should i say like grass (as i found out when i dislocated my knee)

Iv personally played on the I-Pitch and all it is is strands of green flastic fixed the floor with billions of rubber pellets to your stoods something to grip into and help with reducing friction. Weve had full blown training sessions on it, full contact, full training games and as much as it burns a little its not as bad as you would think. Fantastic surface, eliminates uneven ground, you dont slip and fall over you get good grip and can twist and turn freely with out danger of injuring your ankles. During rain its brilliant, the pitch barely changes, you just get covered by these billions of rubber pellets sticking to your wet skin. Personally a big fan of it

I train on this type of pitch and it does give the odd 'burn'.

I'm not a fan - prefer a pitch that changes with the elements. Although - during the recent freeze, the pitches have stood up well to the frost/ice. Not had a training session cancelled yet.

Mathers' knees are in a right state, he's put some pics up on his twitter account.
A few support bandages and that problem is solved though.

I knew Margin meter was a pile of c*** but this just proves it. I mean, like Sibbit will be in the 17 by the time Widnes comes around

Not seen the widnes pitch but i play 7 a side football on a pitch like CalumLW explain and i personally wouldnt play rugby on it.. burns incredibully bad when sliding. Rugby players go though enough pain without having to deal with that. #justmyview

#whatswiththehastagswhennotontwitter

just a bit of humour... sorry if it offends you....

The Widnes players are gonna be in a bit of a state at the season end playing on it every other week

Has the effect of a stage whisper. I'm all in favour #sostickthatinyourpipeandsmokeit

this site has so many twitter references i sometimes think it is twitter...

Or full of twits...

Personally not that bothered about playing contact on it, but rugby hurts in the morning anyways, whats a little bit of carpet burn to go with the bruises