Super League clubs still undecided on promotion and relegation for this season

Rhinos are due back next week to begin preparations for their Betfred Super League return against Huddersfield Giants on Sunday, August 2.

A full fixture list for the shortened season, now limited to 22 rounds, is set to be revealed tomorrow.

Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity will be in action from the weekend of August 8-9, but a decision on whether the Betfred Championship and League One will be restarted could be delayed as late as Thursday, July 23.

A Rugby Football League (RFL) board meeting yesterday heard most lower division clubs believe playing matches behind closed doors is “impractical”, for cost and logistical reasons.

But a “small majority” do want to keep the possibility of restarting the season open in case crowds are allowed back.

And they have told the RFL they would support the “possibility of a meaningful competition later in the autumn and winter if that was the best available option”.

The situation will be reviewed again by the RFL board on the next two Mondays, July 13 and 20, with decisions on the resumption of the Championship and League One seasons and promotion and relegation between the competitions to be made by July 23.

Super League will restart behind closed doors next month, but there are hopes the easing of lockdown restrictions could mean fans are allowed into games as early as September. The team finishing bottom of Super League is due to be relegated and replaced by the Championship Grand Final winners.

Obviously, that will not happen if the Championship is ruled null and void, but even if the second tier competition resumes, some Super League clubs feel change circumstances would make relegation unfair.

It is unlikely Toronto Wolfpack, who went into the coronavirus shutdown bottom of the table, will be able to play any home fixtures this term.

And, despite some clubs already having played seven rounds, new rules will apply from next month.

Yesterday’s meeting approved a series of changes recommended by the RFL’s laws committee in June.

They include the removal of scrums for the rest of 2020 and adopting the ‘six-again’ rule which has recently been introduced to Australia’s NRL.

From next month, most infringements in the ruck will be punished by the tackle count being restarted, rather than play stopped for a penalty.

The RFL have also “simplified” rules on overseas players so in Super League the only restriction will be clubs can now employ a maximum of seven non-federation trained players.

The reserves league - already suspended for the rest of this year - will not take place in 2021, though clubs will be allowed to arrange friendlies. The suspension will be lifted for 2022.

The academy will become an under-19s competition next year, reverting to under-18s in 2022.

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

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 [yesterday], 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.”

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