Thats where the problems start with the WC. If the season gets cut short too much, or too many unplayed games then the viability of the comp is in doubt.
Hey ho.
Reckon end of march is still being optomistic

In my view the WC is an opportunity to push the game to a wider audience. That is the only way you will be able to generate greater TV revenue & be able to develop the game further. So in that respect, whether you would miss the comp or not is irrelevant.

As much as i love my RL, i'm with jbuzza & more interested in the Olympics. If they go ahead the amount of media coverage RLWC would get would be minimal apart from perhaps some northern editions which is not where we need it.

No interest in the Olympics.

Total interest in the RLWC. Obviously,. That's why I'm on a rugby league site.

Season delayed a further 3 weeks- From RFL

Current proposal looks stupid: everyone plays each other once, nine loop fixtures, magic weekend, +Challenge Cup.

Personally dump magic and Cup and try (somehow) to fit in home and away fixtures!

Couldn't agree with you more brian, if a pig's ear can be made of the fixtures, you can rely on the RFL to do so.

At this rate we could end up as a winter game again.

Not on bbc or rfl website yet, what date have they announced

Latest Press Release;


The Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs considered a number of options for the 2021 season at a virtual meeting on Wednesday evening

The consensus reached was that the Betfred Championship season could and should be delayed by several weeks from the scheduled start of late February, in recognition of the current public health situation and the likely implications on the return of fans to elite sport.

For similar reasons, the Betfred League 1 clubs were supportive of a longer delay to the start of their season, which will now begin later in the spring.

That will also allow a staggered return to training following the pause advised by the RFL last week in response to the latest Lockdown, which will also take into account the needs of players to prepare thoroughly after such a long lay-off.

Betfred Championship clubs have been cleared to return from this weekend (Saturday January 16), but initially only for “Stage 1 plus” – which permits socially distanced (non-contact) training outdoors – with the intention of moving to “Stage 2”, with contact training permitted, from February 1.

Found tye press release was just trying to establish where WQ got 3 weeks from. Looks like they have not set a proposed date as yet

NB- Couple of bits and bobs here. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ch ... s-delayed/ https://www.rugby-league.com/article/57 ... e---season

NB- Couple of bits and bobs here. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ch ... s-delayed/ https://www.rugby-league.com/article/57 ... e---season

Matt Shaw on Twitter

Exclusive: The Championship season is set to be delayed by three weeks and redesigned to become a 22-round competition, while League 1 clubs face not participating in the Challenge Cup and returning to the field in May.