New Covid-19 restrictions come into force nationwide from Thursday 5 November. This means that all Community Game activity* will be suspended until at least Wednesday 2 December.

*For the avoidance of doubt this includes:

Adult Open age: Men’s & Women’s
Youth & Junior RL: Boys’ & Girls’
Inclusive RL formats: Physical Disability RL; Learning Disability RL & Wheelchair RL
Social formats: Masters RL, Touch RL, Try Tag Rugby & X-League.
If the lockdown is lifted on 2 December, existing social RL activities that have been formally notified to the RFL will then be reviewed to allow planning for a safe and Covid-19 secure resumption.

Assuming we also then revert back to the government’s tiered alert levels (1, 2 or 3 depending on geography), the RFL’s Action Plan states that no Stage 4 training or match activity should take place during December.

However, it is vital to note, we have only got this far due to this outstanding commitment and compliance of clubs following the government approved guidelines. It is now as important as ever to make sure we adhere and follow the new government guidelines. So once better days return, we can start again in earnest to make 2021 a significant year.

The RFL remains in dialogue with the DCMS, leagues and competitions and will provide further clarification for ‘non-elite’ rugby league in England following the debate in the House of Commons tomorrow in due course.