Betfred Super League clubs have bowed to the inevitable by putting back the start date for the new season by a fortnight. UPDATE | 2021 @Betfred Super League season The season will now start on March 25 READ 👉 https://t.co/xZdwdjt5my pic.twitter.com/FYVUjBcVey — Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) January 14, 2021Super League say the season will still end with the Grand Final on October 9, a fortnight before the start of the World Cup, and talks will continue on whether to reduce the number of matches, with production of the fixture list also delayed. Despite the later start, it still seems likely that matches will initially be played behind closed doors and in double or triple-headers at Covid-secure stadia. All Super League clubs, with the exception of Catalans Dragons, have returned to training and are undertaking Covid-19 testing but some are still awaiting the arrival of overseas players. The cup is due to get under way for the second and third-tier clubs on the first weekend of March, with Super League sides entering in the fourth round on the weekend of April 10.

Source: Express January 14, 2021 17:48 UTC