Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood 'not fussed' if dual-reg never returns

Dual-registration will not be allowed in 2021 due to Covid-19 concerns but Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood feels losing the system is a positive for the sport.
Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.
Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.

Dewsbury had an agreement in place with Hull Kingston Rovers in 2020 and were set to continue that partnership next year.

The Rams only used the agreement once before their season was cut short due to Covid-19.

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The system will be scrapped next year to prevent players mixing between clubs which will help to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Dewsbury Rams in action at the Tetley's Stadium. Picture: Alex Whitehead\SWpix.com.Dewsbury Rams in action at the Tetley's Stadium. Picture: Alex Whitehead\SWpix.com.
Dewsbury Rams in action at the Tetley's Stadium. Picture: Alex Whitehead\SWpix.com.

Greenwood admits he won’t lose sleep if dual-registration never returns, as he prefers loaning players rather than bringing them in for just one game.

“I have only ever used one dual-reg player when Matty Gee came and played for us at Halifax,” said Greenwood.

“He did a great job but I am not a massive fan of dual-reg.

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“We were doing it to be competitive. The arrangement with Hull KR worked well for us. Some of our guys were getting game time in their reserves and we got use of it when needed.

“I don’t really like the system as it is. I think loans are much better, especially longer-term loans, because you treat them as your player.

“Sometimes you play a team who have got four dual-reg players in randomly on one given weekend and it is a bit lopsided.

“I think losing it is good for the game and I wouldn’t be fussed if it never came back.”

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With no dual-reg or reserve teams next season, Greenwood reckons that Championship clubs will be running on much bigger squads.

He expects to have around 30 players on his roster for the 2021 campaign and is ready to use all of them with the possibility of players catching Covid-19 or requiring to self-isolate and the likelihood that injuries will increase as a result of 12 months without competitive action.

He said: “When the season comes around I feel like we will be in a stronger position for the 17 that take the field and also squad wise.

“There is obviously no dual-reg next year and no reserve rugby.

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“It is a test for all coaches, you will see a lot of people going for bigger squads because you have got to plan for always missing people at the moment because of self-isolation or Covid-19.

“We have got good numbers for our pre-season but there are a couple of areas I would like to strengthen before the season comes round.

“We will be looking to do that over the coming months.”

Greenwood added: “With Super League there were always players missing because of having to isolate or catching Covid themselves.

“If that continues when we start our season, players are going to be missing.

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“There is also the fact that our guys haven’t played since last March, so the chance of injury is quite high and everyone will need to be prepared for that.

“Numbers wise we will need to cope with that and that is why we are looking for a few more players.”