KEY DECISIONS EXPECTED FOR SUPER LEAGUE

SUPER LEAGUE’S 2020 season should be a lot clearer by the end of today with the RFL board set to decide on a host of important issues – including promotion and relegation.

The governing body is expected to verify the scrapping of scrums for the rest of this year on health grounds, alongside the introduction of the “six again” rule seen in Australia’s NRL.

The RFL will also look at the results of a survey by all Championship and League One clubs and could decide whether or not to restart the seasons.

That is closely tied into the crucial issue of promotion and relegation, with most Super League clubs keen to scrap them in what will be a reduced top-flight season when it restarts on Sunday, August 2.

Top Championship clubs including Leigh, London and Featherstone have pushed to retain some promotion even if they play a short campaign.

Featherstone chairman Mark Campbell said the RFL is “finding ways to delay the season rather than finding a way to get it under way”.

But a large number of clubs outside the top flight believe the logistics and cost of restarting will be too much.

That would leave the RFL with a Challenge Cup headache, as it still has five non-super League clubs in it but is expected to be concluded this year.

The two key rule changes pushed last month by the Laws Committee should be confirmed, but there have been warnings from coaches, including Leeds Rhinos’ Richard Agar (above left) and Hull KR’S Tony Smith (above right) over their impact.

The “six again” rule means no penalties for infringements at the play-the-ball – instead the tackle count restarts, speeding up the game and reducing breaks in play.

The other issue that could be fixed this week is when Catalans Dragons will be able to host Super League matches in Perpignan again.