Super League look increasingly likely to scrap relegation for 2020

No rugby league games have been played since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic and Elstone feels it is “not a fair and equitable proposition” to relegate a club from Super League in 2020.

Some Championship sides have already called for the top flight to keep the promotion spot open, even if they decide to do away with relegation for this campaign.

Toronto Wolfpack, who were promoted from the Championship in 2019, sit bottom of the Super League ladder with zero wins from their first six games.

“As we’ve moved on, I think there is the sense that our season will end up looking very different as to what we thought it would do,” said Elstone on Sky Sports’ Golden Point Podcast.

“We have the added complication of Toronto and Catalans which I think essentially makes it appear to me – even at this stage – that relegation from Super League is not going to be a fair and equitable proposition for Super League clubs.”

Elstone continued that it would not feel “right” to allow a club to be relegated amidst the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak and admits that a consensus on the subject could be reached soon.

He added: “It wouldn’t feel right to do that and if we’re not there yet, it seems very likely to me that we will arrive at that point in the near future.”

It remains unclear what will happen in the Championship if the top flight agrees to cancel relegation.

Featherstone Rovers and Dewsbury Rams have enjoyed fine starts to the season, with the former going unbeaten and the latter losing just once in four games.