CLUBS including Redditch, Alcester, Woodrush, Kings Norton, Five Ways Old Edwardians and Solihull will benefit next season from the RFU's decision to pay injury and liability insurance next season.

The sport's national governing body will take away the burden of clubs having to pay their own accident and public liability premiums.

The annual funding provided by the RFU will be replaced by centrally-funded insurance payments.

Nick Eastwood, RFU Finance Director, explained: "The worry of accident and public liability insurance and its administration will be removed as clubs will no longer have to pay premiums under the current compulsory scheme.

"It is a very comprehensive package. All clubs and all teams will be automatically covered - there will be no need to insure new or occasional teams. Everybody will be included - clubs, players, coaches, referees and administrators.

"These are changes we have thought carefully about and looked at all the implications.

"The difficult and complicated issues of playing and accident insurance will no longer be a concern for club committees and members.

"With the removal of the administration involved in the current schemes, the RFU can concentrate on the issues of injury prevention to ensure that the game is the safest we can make it."

The move coincides with a £2m increase in investment from the RFU in community rugby - from £17m to £19m - in 2006/7.