It's worth losing Leeds Rhinos players to restart playing says Featherstone Rovers boss

Promotion and crowds will be two crucial factors in deciding if the Betfred Championship resumes this year, Featherstone Rovers coach James Webster believes.

Super League is expected to return in the summer, with matches initially played behind closed doors.

There are concerns lower division clubs will not be able to afford the cost of paying players and staff, while not receiving matchday income.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And speculation promotion to the top-flight might be scrapped for this year has added to Championship worries over whether the 2020 season is viable.

James Webster. Picture by Simon Hulme.James Webster. Picture by Simon Hulme.
James Webster. Picture by Simon Hulme.

Webster, whose side have not played since a Coral Challenge Cup win over Hunslet on March 13, admitted more information is needed.

“I haven’t been involved in conversations behind the scenes and I don’t know how much depends on Super League and funding and furlough,” he said.

“But I think it is pretty clear in the Championship that unless there is promotion and relegation and unless you can play with crowds, some of those clubs are nervous about playing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As soon as that gets resolved everyone will have a clearer picture.

Rovers reached last year's Betfred Championship Grand Final before losing to Toronto Wolfpack. Picture by Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com)Rovers reached last year's Betfred Championship Grand Final before losing to Toronto Wolfpack. Picture by Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com)
Rovers reached last year's Betfred Championship Grand Final before losing to Toronto Wolfpack. Picture by Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com)

“I don’t think anyone will have a clear picture at all until they decide about promotion and relegation.

“I am glad I have got nothing to do with that, it is a really tough one for a lot of different people.

“Once they have decided on that, we will see how much of an appetite clubs have to start again.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Webster - who has been placed on furlough, along with Rovers’ players - reckons permitting crowds, but limiting their size, would be a possible way back for the Championship.

Leeds Rhinos' Callum McLelland, pictured in a pre-season game between the partner clubs, has plauyed for Rovers on dual-registration. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Leeds Rhinos' Callum McLelland, pictured in a pre-season game between the partner clubs, has plauyed for Rovers on dual-registration. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Leeds Rhinos' Callum McLelland, pictured in a pre-season game between the partner clubs, has plauyed for Rovers on dual-registration. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

He added: “If you can get crowds and promotion and relegation there is no reason not to start.

“You don’t need the crowds Super League get.

“If the government are able to put limits on crowds which are quite low, that might be a game-changer for the Championship.

“Obviously Leeds wouldn’t be able to manage on [a limit of] 3,000, but Championship clubs could.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“At the moment, I am like everyone else - I am just waiting to hear.

“We have been doing our risk assessments on how to safely come back to training and what we need to comply with.”

This year’s Championship Grand Final winners are due to be promoted, in place of the 12th-placed Super League team.

Rovers lost to Toronto Wolfpack in the 2019 title decider and are unbeaten in all competitions this season.

“I don’t think there will be relegation,” Webster said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think it all depends on how much integrity the competition has.

“If it has got some integrity about it, then there should be [promotion].

“That’s the main one, trying to get a competition that has some credibility and some impetus about it.”

Rovers make regular use of Leeds Rhinos’ fringe players as part of a dual-registration agreement between the clubs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With Super League’s revised fixture list set to include a series of midweek matches, Leeds boss Richard Agar is likely to make full use of his squad, including some who have been gaining experience at Featherstone.

Asked if that will have a bearing on Rovers, Webster admitted: “Massive, but that’s just the way it is.

“Would I take us playing over our squad being stretched a bit?

“100 per cent, but the more games Leeds play the less chance we have of picking up people from them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“That’s just common sense, but saying that, there’s a couple of youngsters we haven’t used yet and I’d have no hesitation using those players.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777