From August 16th and the close contact isolation rules for the fully vaccinated being removed, this will likely make this problem of not being able to field a team disappear.

Although Blake Austin might want to sign a contract somewhere quickly before they realise he is going to miss out many fixtures if this carries over into future seasons if his social media activity reflects his vaccination status.

Can you clarify what the protocols say about mixing of first team and academy squads?

I thought they weren't allowed to mix for the obvious reason of increased potential for spread of the virus outside of the playing group. You obviously know better as you've spent the last week suggesting Warrington could have used their academy players to make up the shortfall outside of the 25 Super League squad.

Do please enlighten us.

There can't be any regulations around that as Castleford fielded a mixed squad with about 10 academy players against Salford before the cup final, including five debutants.

There may well be times where clubs literally cannot get 17 eligible players onto the field for a game, I'll add that in as you seem very insistent on that. But it's very clear that clubs are reaching for the 7 player limit at times so they don't have to play. Look at Liam Watts tweets recently where he says they need to stop testing players who aren't ill or identified as close contacts as it gives clubs an excuse to postpone games. That's a current SL player saying 'lets stop giving the clubs an excuse to postpone games'.

Whatever the actual truth is behind each postponement, the competition needs to be stronger on it and get these games played where possible. There was a journalist on twitter who said there are likely to be 24 postponed games still unplayed in two weeks time, with only 6 weeks to go. That's not a good look for a sport that was already hemorrhaging sponsorship, TV revenue and gate receipts. Super League making a warning statement that they're able to fine clubs and deduct points over covid postponements is also an indicator that they suspect rules are being abused.

And Saints are not playing this week because?

They’re happy to have a rest after the challenge cup final and subsequent pee up…..sorry, I mean they have some Covid issues. We might not see Cas again this season going off their record this season and the end of last season. It was a minor miracle all their issues with Covid cleared up for Challenge Cup Final week but alas, they’re back now.

Just because they can under the rules, apparently.