There has been no rugby in this country since March 15, but top-flight clubs are hopeful their competition will resume in mid-August, if the public health situation continues to improve.

Powell admitted he is keen to have a confirmed date, but confident Tigers will be ready to go once the green light is given.

He said: “Everyone’s talking about August 16 and we’re just waiting for some confirmation so we can put together what it looks like as we get back into training and then get back into playing, which is what everybody wants.”

Powell noted: “Football’s back playing and the NRL’s had four games and that looks good.

“We just want to be part of it now and get back doing what we do for an occupation. It’s still tough at the moment, but looking more positive.

“We are not into absolutely detailed planning, there’s still a bit of flexibility with that, but mentally we’ve got a bit of hope there and something to look towards. The boys want to play, I want to coach - we just want to get on.”

The layoff has given players time to get over pre- and early-season injuries and Powell expects to have “everybody available” when the competition restarts.

Greg Eden has not played since being injured against Toronto in Super League round one, but could be available for Tigers' next match. Picture by Tony Johnson.

“It is another six weeks down the track, at least and we’ll look forward to having a full roster then,” he said.

Following the easing of lockdown restrictions some Tigers players have begun running together and Powell added: “We have left it up to them to touch base with each other.

“There’s certain rules around all the stuff that’s happening at the moment. The boys have been good at keeping themselves in shape and looking after themselves. We are just looking forward to some news.”

Castleford are understood to have signed full-back Niall Evalds from Salford Red Devils for 2021, but Powell declined to comment, describing links with the England Knights star as “just rumours”.

Of recruitment for next year, he admitted: “It has made it pretty hard. Budgets are still to be redefined, we are just trying to piece everything together and have clarity of what we are doing moving forward.”

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.

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

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

'We've got a bit of hope there' - Castleford Tigers boss upbeat over Super League return