Ashes series a key part of our jigsaw, says RFL boss

There is growing uncertainty as to when the season will restart following the coronavirus pandemic. The NRL today postponed its campaign, having played last weekend behind closed doors.

And that has led to fears England’s three Test series against the Kangaroos – due to run on successive weekends from October 31 – will be scrapped to allow the campaign to run into November.

Rimmer, chief executive of the RFL, said: “When I say everybody has to sit down at the table and give something in order to make it work, I absolutely believe that.

“The Ashes series is a key part of our jigsaw, there is no two ways about it. It is important, financially, to the RFL.

“More importantly, the Ashes series is there to act as an appetiser for the World Cup the year after.

“The landscape we are currently in clearly impacts on the next couple of years, before we get to a good place.

“We want to play the Ashes, of course we do. Super League want to play their games, of course they do.

“The Rugby League World Cup want the appetiser that serves the World Cup in 2021. All that is currently in play. I can’t categorically tell you anything at this moment in time.

“All I can tell you is there is lots of scenario planning, and let’s see what we can get out of that.”

The NRL is also considering a plan to stage its lucrative State of Origin series after its Grand Final, which could also jeopardise the highly-anticipated series.

Rimmer, who earlier this year appointed ex-Warriors boss Shaun Wane as England coach, added: “We are dealing with clubs from other countries, which again makes the situation slightly more complicated – and we have other associated complications.

“I’m speaking with (NRL CEO) Todd Greenberg in Australia on a regular basis to see where they are, and clearly the condition of their competition has an impact on us as well.

“There are many parts to this equation and I think the only way this becomes solvable is by taking the approach that I’ve just described, by sitting down and understanding we are in a place that we never, ever expected to be in and hopefully never will be again.”

Rimmer says it was impossible to predict with any confidence when the season may be resumed.