Championship season for Featherstone Rovers, Dewsbury Rams and Batley Bulldogs could resume in late August

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, the Championship and League One campaigns could be restarted in August with the season finishing in November.

Featherstone Rovers head coach James Webster said last week that promotion to Super League and crowds back in stadia would be key in the sport’s return below the top flight.

Dewsbury Rams boss Lee Greenwood has expressed his concerns about staging games behind closed doors while Batley Bulldogs chief Craig Lingard fears the season may not be able to resume.

However, supporters, clubs and players have been given fresh hope with the possibility of returning on the final weekend in August.

Each club would play each other once with the play-offs contested by four teams rather than five. Any potential promotion play-off would then be held in November.

The document was released after two working groups were established to help Championship and League 1 clubs consider issues surrounding the possible resumption of play.

One of the working groups has been established to consider the costs and other logistics surrounding matches taking place behind closed doors for broadcast while the other will look at possible revenue opportunities to offset some of those costs.

Numerous clubs are doubtful if a resumption is possible, with all Championship sides reliant on match-day revenue before the added cost of coronavirus testing is factored in.

Featherstone are one club who have publicly stated their desire to see the season get back underway with a Challenge Cup clash with Wakefield Trinity still to play.

Clubs were informed this week that any return to training would mean players would be required to come off the Government furlough scheme while the participation of French outfit Toulouse adds further complications.

The Daily Mirror has also claimed that plans to revive this year’s 1895 Cup have been drafted with just eight teams set to take part.

It would involve last season’s winners, Sheffield Eagles, and beaten finalist Widnes Vikings, along with the next six highest ranked teams from England.

However, the 1895 Cup is unlikely to be played if the final would be required to be staged behind closed doors.

Further discussions surrounding the proposals will take place this week, with high-level sport in England slowly returning.