Will Doncaster Knights play any rugby this season? Clubs release statement as speculation about Championship intensifies

Reports this week have claimed that up to half of the clubs in the Championship – who have seen their central funding cut, revenues hit and face the prospect of playing matches behind-closed-doors – would prefer to be moth-balled until the scheduled start of the 2021-22 season next September.

Newly-relegated Saracens could potentially be reinstated to the Premiership and ambitious Ealing Trailfinders could also be offered the chance to buy their way into a new 14-team top flight, according to reports.

The government is expected to finalise a rescue fund for all sports apart from professional football this month – which could prove key to the second tier competition going ahead as planned.

But time is ticking.

And the fate of the 2020/21 Championship season may now have been further complicated by the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of March.

Doncaster Knights are poised to begin pre-season training although it remains unclear whether their players have been brought off furlough.

A statement issued by the RFU on behalf of the Greene King IPA Championship clubs said: “Further to the recent announcement regarding the cancellation of the 2020/21 competitive rugby season for levels 3 and below of the English leagues, and the commencement of Premiership rugby from the weekend of the 21 November, there is much speculation about the intentions of the Greene King IPA Championship league.

“The Championship is considered a professional league and is a part of the Elite game in England together with the Gallagher Premiership and the women’s Allianz Premier 15s league. As such, it is allowed to function during the government’s “lockdown” period of November.

“However, with clubs having little or no earning power for the past eight months, their individual financial status does not allow them to meet the costs of currently required COVID testing or face the prospect of no income going forward due to an absence of match day crowds.

“The report, in The Times (Thursday, 5 November 2020), of potential government support funding, whilst awaiting further detail, is very welcome. However, time is passing and urgent decision making is paramount.

“Within the above scenario of support, it remains the desire and intention of the Greene King IPA Championship to commence its 2020/21 league season in January 2021, subsequent to a required period of pre-season training and game preparation time.

“Much discussion and preparation is being undertaken within the league, in conjunction with the RFU, to play a meaningful league programme but the detail of those discussions must, of necessity, remain confidential and any public debate is, for the present, mere speculation.

“The Championship clubs will continue to work closely with the RFU to explore a financially viable route forward for all clubs, and will make decisions and announcements accordingly.”