Calculating the impact of coronavirus

LIKE all sports, rugby league is attempting to get to grips with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Postponements have hit across the board and here we look at the impact.

SUPER League called a halt to games on March 15. The RFL also postponed fixtures in the Championship, League 1 and the community game - which affects Underbank Rangers – up to April 3 but that is a nominal date and will be extended. The Challenge Cup is due to resume on the weekend of April 4-5 but will be put on ice.

WITH both Super League and the NRL seasons likely to run over, any extension will impact on the international window and the first Kangaroos tour since 2003 will become the biggest casualty, especially if the Australians decide to move the State of Origin Series to after the end of the domestic season. Big calls will also have to be made about viability of the Magic Weekend.

SUPER League may need to remove the loop fixtures to ease congestion but the Challenge Cup final and Grand Final will be played if at all possible, perhaps on re-scheduled dates. The Cup final was brought forward to July 18 this year because Wembley was due to host Euro 2020 so in theory could be push back to its original August date, but the availability of Old Trafford for the Grand Final is more

THERE seems little doubt that when rugby league eventually returns it will look very different. The majority of Super League clubs look sufficiently well equipped to survive – Salford Red Devils are thought to be the most vulnerable – but it would be no surprise if the crisis claims one or two of the smaller, part-time clubs in the Championship and League 1. One of the big questions is whether the league will persist with promotion and relegation or put everything on hold for 12 months.