Featherstone Rovers, Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams to have Championship season delayed by 'several weeks'

Due to the current rise in Covid-19 cases across the country and with most of England under Tier 4 restrictions, clubs reached a consensus that the 2021 campaign should not kick off next month.

Second-tier clubs have been cleared to return to training this weekend, but only for socially-distanced training outdoors with the intention of moving to contact training from February 1.

A statement from the RFL read: "Further details of the schedule for the 2021 Betfred Championship and League 1, including the early rounds of the Challenge Cup, will be published over the weekend, following further feedback from the clubs and consultation with the RFL Board – with fixture lists to follow."

Ralph Rimmer, the RFL Chief Executive, said: “We have been grateful to our clubs throughout the last 10 months for their responsible and constructive approach to such a challenging period for all, and Wednesday’s meeting was another example of that.

“There remains a desire and determination, from the RFL as well as clubs, to get back on the field as soon as is safely possible. However there is also a recognition of the need to be responsible at this time.

“A staged return to pre-season training, after the short pause advised last week, followed by a staggered start to the Betfred Championship and League 1 seasons, represents the best way for us to combine this responsibility with other priorities of player welfare and the financial sustainability of our clubs.

“This approach extends to the Academy and Scholarship programmes, which are so important to the future health of the game as well as the mental health of the youngsters involved – and we will confirm shortly a similar approach for the Betfred Women’s Super League.”