Some media outlets are now reporting the Premier League is war gaming the potential for the entire 2020/21 being played behind closed doors.

The lower levels of RL are roughly similar to football's Nationsl League. They have abandoned 2919/20 with several clubs saying closed door games would be financially disastrous. Nearly all the usual outgoings would apply with zero income. Fine if TV money pays the bills but not viable otherwise.

That's the problem, the bulk of RL clubs can't sustain playing behind closed doors with zero income and zero reward.
What seems to be forgotten at the top end without the lower end of the game very quickly the top end is dead.

In todays paper Rugby Union are saying that, large crowds for games cannot happen until a vaccine exists and is widely used in the population. Eighteen months is thought to be the minimum period that it would take.

RU are making an assumption that a vaccine will be found. Wonder where sport goes if that's not the case.

At least we wouldn't have to put up with crappy refs

Do you not like refs buzza?
Can't play the game without em

It looks as though the french government are going to ban it citizens from traveling further than sixty miles from their homes this summer. Foreign travel will be banned, except in exceptional circumstances. Where does that leave Super League and the Championship, with regards to Toulouse and Catalan?

Manna from heaven for those clubs that would prefer non traditional heartland clubs didn't exist.

Perhaps a few months of tag rugby would be an easier way of getting the season going again. Probably giving a faster game with no full on contact & it would allow players to wear masks for safety reasons.

There is more than a little merit in that.

Would sit nicely with our defence so far this season!

International travel is allowed for work purposes, I have had several clients who have travelled from Paris.bordeaux and nice in the last couple of weeks
So if playing is classed as work they would have no problems travelling.

Obviously never played tag if you think that

I have no problem with good refs. I watch amateur RU and those refs are pretty good in comparison to a lot of RL refs. Maybe because they don't seem to be out to get noticed.

Or maybe ru refs spending too much time working out what the next scrummaging penalty can be for.

Would have thought it was an excellent way to train as a half way house allowing intensity with limited contact before full contact was allowed.

But i was forgetting, you know everything & are never wrong.

Not suggesting anything about tag and fitness levels.
My response was reference to our defence being any better if they played tag! Getting a hand on the tag is not the easiest so not sure the defence would be any better

Assume you have played tag then DC?
Technically it's certainly a better game for RL skills than touch rugby, but fitness wise touch is much quicker.
RFL were originally more pro touch rugby, but have seen the light a bit and now have closer links with tag.

There is an article in the local paper today suggesting that multiple games over a weekend in one stadium to save costs would be one solution. A type of magic lockdown.

The Dutch health minister has suggested football will be behind closed doors there until a vaccine exists. If the UK goes down that route it's difficult to see it being anything other than devastating for RL. https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... h-minister

The Dutch health minister has suggested football will be behind closed doors there until a vaccine exists. If the UK goes down that route it's difficult to see it being anything other than devastating for RL. https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... h-minister

Dutch approach is fine until they get to the point where they realise a vaccine is not guaranteed.

To be fair to the Minister he does say IF there is a vaccine not when.

So how long are they willing to wait for a vaccine I wonder
1 2 3 seasons?

The other main RL site is reporting that it is believed the Championship and League One sides will discuss voiding the season at a meeting this week. It reports growing support for the idea, though some remain keen to try and play on.

Would put money on the season for both competitions going that way. Without fans there is no incentive for many to get going again, it will cost them too much.
What happens then to the full time squads in the leagues is the question.