Fylde RFC's wait for rugby continues with proposed one-off competition scrapped

After the league campaigns for the two levels of the National League were abandoned in November, plans were drawn up for a nationwide knockout competition to be launched this month.

This was to have begun with a series of regional groups, with Fylde scheduled to face Caldy, Chester, Sale FC and Sedgley Park.

However, Fylde chairman Mike Brennand, a member of the National Clubs Association which oversees the National Leagues, confirmed this week that as lockdown continues the competition has been abandoned.

He told The Gazette: “That is no longer on the table. We’re hoping it may still be possible for us to play some matches involving local clubs, perhaps on a home and away basis, but we are in no position to approach anybody or arrange anything.

“Maybe the position will start to become clearer after the government announcements next week, but it’s still a very difficult time and all we can do is wait and see.”

Fylde’s new head coaching duo Chris Briers and Alex Loney told The Gazette that their planning is focused on next season, due to start in September, though both hoped for some action before then.

Briers expressed the concern that if this season is completely lost, the upshot could be more pre-season friendlies and a greater risk of injuries.

The RFU this week voted against relegation from the Premiership and Championship, meaning the composition of the National Leagues will be the same as for 2020/21.

Next season is set to be the last with the current structure at Fylde’s level, National Two. For 2022/23, the two divisions of 16 clubs (North and South) will be replaced by three divisions of 14, with a Midlands competition added.

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