Hunslet yet to decide whether to play again in 2020

The lower division seasons were abandoned last week because of coronavirus, but the Rugby Football League hope to stage a separate tournament this autumn.

Entry will be voluntary and - although prize money will be on offer - some clubs, including Hunslet’s dual-registration partners Halifax, have already confirmed they will not take part.

Hunslet coach Gary Thornton said his club are “still looking through it”.

He stressed: “We have to make sure we can meet the criteria, which is fairly strict in terms of return to training and return to play.

“We’re looking at the cost as well. What we don’t want to do is impact on next season’s playing budget for a full season.

“We have to see whether the financials fit in with it, whether we can at the very least break even and whether we can meet the return to play and return to training criteria.”

He added: “We are just having a look at it now.

“We haven’t ruled out entering it yet, but we are fairly cautious. There’s a lot of the criteria we might not be able to meet.

“We play out of a council-run facility so it’s not so straightforward as opening up our own doors.

“We have to make sure we meet the safety requirements the council impose on the stadium as well so there’s lots of things for us to look at before we say yes or no.”

The Parksiders won their opening two league games and had been targeting promotion this year.

Thornton admitted he was “massively disappointed, but not surprised” by the decision to call off the regular campaign.

“Whilever there were no crowds allowed in it was always going to be a tough decision,” he said.

“Clubs in the Championship and League One need that revenue.

“I am not surprised by that decision, but massively disappointed for players and fans alike.

“At least we have got a starting position and we know where we are for next year now.”

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