Scrums abolished - but still no decision on Championship or League One return

But a decision on whether the 2020 Championship and League One seasons will resume has been put back to next Monday, July 13, at the earliest - with a final deadline of Thursday, July 23.

That has left Super League clubs in the dark over whether there will be promotion at the end of this season and how the Coral Challenge Cup - which has reached the sixth round stage - will be completed.

A Rugby Football League (RFL) board meeting today (Monday, July 6) approved the introduction of a number of law changes for the resumption of the 2020 season, which had been recommended by last month’s meeting of the laws committee.

The new rules have been introduced to “protect the welfare of players” and mitigate risk of spreading Covid-19.

There will be no scrums for the rest of this year and the ‘six-again’ law will see the tackle count restarted, rather than a penalty awarded, for most ruck infringements.

The RFL say a survey of the 25 Championship - including Featherstone Rovers, Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams - and League One clubs, among them Hunslet, revealed a majority in both competitions believe playing behind closed doors is impractical, due to costs and other logistical issues.

But a “small majority” of clubs at both Championship and League One level were keen to hold open the possibility of resuming the season, given the changing situation regarding the cost of testing and the possibility of playing in front of crowds .

They also expressed support for the possibility of a meaningful competition later in the autumn and winter if that was the best available option.

The situation will be reviewed on the next two Mondays, July 13 and 20, with a decision on the resumption of the competitions - and whether there will be promotion and relegation - to be made at the latest by July 23.

RFL chairman Simon Johnson said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented all sports with immense challenges.

“We continue to work through these challenges in rugby league, and our approach throughout has been to consider the interests of all our member clubs and of the game as a whole.

“That is why we have been keen to communicate and consult as often as possible – and that consultation has revealed a wide range of opinions.

“After our meeting today, we are confirming some significant changes to the way the game will be played on the field when rugby League resumes next month – which we believe are important and necessary to prioritise the welfare of players, and the success of the season when it resumes.

“We recognise that further important decisions are necessary in terms of the tiers below Super League and promotion and relegation and that there is urgency in making these decisions, which is why we have set some firm deadlines to ensure clarity well before the resumption of the Betfred Super League season on August 2.”

The Board agreed to the simplification of the regulations regarding nationality and the limit on players who are not ‘federation trained’ by supporting the removal of the quota rule at all levels.

This means that in Super League the only restriction will be clubs may employ a maximum of seven non-federation trained players.

At Championship and League 1 level the removal of any restrictions will be monitored.

The reserves league will be suspended for 2021, but clubs will be allowed to arrange friendlies.

Tte suspension will be lifted ahead of 2022.

The academy competition will be extended to under-19s in 2021, reverting to under-18s the following year.

The scholarship competition will be extended to under-17s in 2021 only.

The rule changes initially apply at professional level only.

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