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Players at Betfred Super League outfits including Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity, as well as those in the semi-professional ranks, are on furlough - a form of paid leave - as part of the national job retention scheme.

The government guarantees up to 80 per cent of furloughed workers’ wages, but they are not allowed to work for that employer while on leave.

Social distancing rules have made group training impossible since March but, with restrictions now being relaxed, coaches are keen to get back to business.

Adam Cuthbertson on the ball at a Rhinos training session in early March. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

A Daily Mail report last weekend suggested clubs in rugby union’s Premiership had been told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) would not regard an initial return to training as invalidating the conditions of the furlough scheme, as no revenue would be generated.

However, HMRC on Thursday said that is not the case.

An HMRC spokesperson told The Yorkshire Evening Post: “Sports professionals undertaking supervised training with their employer are unlikely to be eligible for the grants from the coronavirus job retention scheme, because such training directly contributes to generating revenue for their employer.

“Where training is a key component of an employee’s role and directly contributes to generating revenue for the employer, for example training undertaken by sports professionals, then such training will not be allowable within the furlough scheme.”

Cameron Smith training ahead of Rhinos' home clasdh with Toronto Wolfpack in march. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

The Rugby Football League (RFL) are keeping a close eye on the matter and have warned clubs they would risk breaking furlough conditions if training resumed.

All rugby league in this country has been suspended since March 16 because of Covid-19, but Super League clubs hope the competition could resume in August.

If players come off furlough before rugby restarts clubs will be faced with having to pay their full wages at a time when no income is generated.

A message from the Editor:

Luke Gale at a Rhinos trianing session before Super League was shut down. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

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https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777

Furlough blow to clubs' training hopes