Raiders’ logistical problem

The Rugby Football Union have revealed a competition involving National One and Two clubs will go ahead this season when clubs in England are able to resume playing contact rugby.

It will be in two phases, the first being regional-based groups of around half-a-dozen clubs and then the second will see cup, plate and bowl knockouts based on finishing positions in the initial groups.

Taking part will be completely voluntary and will have no impact on league status, with the start date determined by the UK government giving the go-ahead to restart competitive rugby.

‘It would be great to do it, although I think a lot of it is hoping at the moment,’ said Raiders’ director of rugby Jordan Reynolds.

‘It has some value for sure. If it does go ahead, it will probably not be starting in January as some have suggested it might, it would probably be more like March because you are going to have at least four weeks from getting the green light before you are ready to play in competition.

‘It is positive news, though, and it is good they are talking about it. When they were talking about the league possibly starting later, they did not have much information to go on, but there has been a lot of thought process go into this cup.

‘You would be having four or five games, so not a huge competition, and I think, for a team like us, playing a National One club would be pretty good – although perhaps not two or three in a row.

‘Any rugby at the moment would be of interest to supporters and clubs and getting proper competitive games against different opposition would be ideal for us, but we are in different circumstances here [in Guernsey] and ... working out the logistics might prove impossible.’