Looks like there will be a 2 week delay to the start of the season as long as sky agree. Reason being to make it more likely for fans to attend the later matches in the year. Strange decision for me, what difference will two weeks make?

I was going to say the same thing.

If it really is only two weeks, we can consider ourselves extraordinarily lucky.

Are we sure it wasn't two months?

Two weeks is the report. If they can fit in a delay, even one of just two weeks, I’d be fully behind it. As we’ve seen with this virus a lot can change in two weeks. We’re in a shocking place as a country at the moment but hopefully things will look more positive by March (although they’ll be far from good) and if by starting two weeks later, that allows teams to push pre season back a little and not have to mix as much in these next few weeks (when things will be at their worst), I don’t think that will be a bad thing.

I don’t really think this can be about fans in the stadiums because they might be able to push the start date back by trimming the number of games but they won’t be able to extend the season due to the World Cup, so if it’s about getting fans in to stadiums, they may as well leave the start date as it is because starting in early March or starting in late March won’t make any difference to when fans can come back. It seems to be about trying to start as late as possible and get ahead of possible fixture disruption now, as opposed to start postponing fixtures in early March. I’d rather then trim a few games before we start, than start doing it part way though and risk the integrity of the comp again.

Like many other mysteries taking place at the present Covi - 19 situation.

Like for example, Football and Rugby Union still being allowed to be play even though the number of cases at clubs are increasing and some games are being cancelled.

While at the same time, we the public are told to stay in unless doing essential food shopping.

Double standards in abudance!

With Australia and NZ looking like limiting travel until 2022, when are they going to make a call on the WC? Surely the sensible thing is to knock it back a year now! Also avoids us trying to compete in such a busy sporting calendar. Let the euros and olympics go this year and we can go next surely?

cancel the challenge cup then it will free up space in the season

No, it brings vital sponsorship money and prize money to the game. Where would you get that money from?

sky as if its disrupted they will want some of their money back

Talk that magic may go and that would make sense. Even in late May you could only see a small crowd being allowed and without the fans at that event it becomes pointless. If they knock a couple of loop fixtures on the head then hopefully that would be enough to avoid any mid season postponements/cancellations/fixture shuffles when it enables a later start.

So Sky are going to pay more money than they are contracted to? I'm glad your not running my business.

Weren't the fixtures due to be released this week?

Every week is pretty much magic anyway if they play in 1 venue again.