At the NCA executive meeting on Monday evening, there was a wish for a further update to be issued regarding the likelihood of the restart of play.

High level meetings between the RFU and DCMS [Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport] almost secured the resumption of play before the three-tier lockdown system was announced by the Government, but the possibility of full contact club rugby at levels 3 and 4 is getting closer, according to the NCA chairman John Inverdale.

Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger also provided an update on Tuesday night which you can watch HERE

“It’s now just a question of waiting and seeing how these latest measures impact on the virus,’ said Inverdale. “If it’s clear they are working, then it might not be too long before we’re off and running. What kind of competitive rugby would emerge was not yet decided.”

Following the ballot of all clubs, which was against a 15-match league season (the vote was 11-5 against in National One alone), the NCA executive met on Monday and agreed that due to potential local lockdowns, player infection and travel restrictions, it would be difficult to operate a meaningful season.

One option being considered, as has been reported,  is a cup competition specifically for the National League clubs, with finals at prestige locations. “This would give players and spectators incentives,  but also encourage commercial partners to remain involved throughout the second half of the season,” said Inverdale.

“Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to get the game going again, but the NCA cannot operate unilaterally.  The RFU has been very supportive of the concerns being voiced by NCA Clubs and they are holding a couple of hugely important meetings over the next 10 days  and I would hope we will have a definitive decision on what kind of a season lies ahead within the next fortnight.”