Fylde RFC boss hopes for an eventual return to action following coronavirus crisis

The Woodlands boss must bide his time at home with all rugby union activity at all levels suspended until April 14.

Fylde and most other clubs in the three National Leagues have five games still to play, though with the campaign due to end on April 25, the only way to complete the league programme would be by extending it.

Spragg told The Gazette: “There is a mad frenzy of organisation taking place, though all rugby activity has been stopped for the next three weeks.

“There is no actual face-to-face coaching taking place and we are just trying to look at what can be put in place for everyone.

“As yet the players have not been given personal programmes and we await further guidelines. Meetings are taking place at the higher levels to determine if and when the season can be finished.”

It remains to be seen whether it will deemed possible for the season to eventually run its course, or whether the decision will ultimately be taken to call a halt and accept the current league standings as final tables. The latter course would raise major questions over promotion and relegation.

The bottom two in National One, Canterbury and Hull Ionians, are already relegated, while Caldy are already confirmed as champions of National Two North.

The picture in National Two South is more complicated, however, as only six points separate the top-four clubs: Taunton, Tonbridge, Redruth and Henley.

The runners-up in the two National Two divisions are supposed to play-off for the final promotion spot.

Fylde currently occupy that position in Two North, though Hinckley are only five points behind them and Sedgley Park seven.

“The question is whether the season can be finished,” Spragg added. “Can the matches be rescheduled or is the best approach to avoid any risk and decide that the league tables will stand as they are. My own preference would be to continue the season if it’s safe to play at the end of April or early May.

“I wouldn’t mind playing on into June or even July if that is considered feasible, as long as there is a reasonable break before next season begins, but of course there is a much bigger picture to consider and if we start next season in National Two North then so be it.”

And Spragg accepts that finalising promotion and relegation based on current standings would be problematic.

“It would be very difficult,” he conceded. “There are obvious candidates for relegation from National One and it would be pretty harsh on Caldy if they were not promoted.

“But you have four teams who could still win the title in National Two South.

“And if you were to promote a second club from Two North or Two South, you’d need to have a play-off.”