All Rugby League below Super League paused

All Rugby League below the Super League has been paused as a result of the new lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed last night that the country would enter a new lockdown to tackle rising cases. Among many things, he confirmed outdoor sports, wuith the exception of elite sports, would not be able to take place.

Community Rugby League, which had been due to resume at Youth and Open Age level in January, is now required to be suspended under Government rules. They still hope to restart competitions in the spring.

The RFL has advised clubs in the Championship and League 1 to pause their pre-season training programmes for the next two weeks.

This will allow detailed discussions with clubs, before the publication of fixtures – which will be delayed, as will the draw for the first two rounds of the Challenge Cup, until a further announcement later this month.

Academy and Scholarship programmes will also be suspended, and  Women’s Super League clubs will also be advised to pause their pre-season training programmes – although it is hoped the England Women and Wheelchair squads will continue with their training camps in January and February as scheduled.