THE RFL has written to all clubs who were due to be involved in the Academy Championship in 2020, including Bradford Bulls, and informed them that the decision has reluctantly been taken to cancel the competition this year.

It was probably to be expected, given that Bulls' first team had their Championship season cancelled last week, though of course the possibility remains of them playing in the RFL's proposed 125-year anniversary tournament this autumn.

In a statement about the academy season, the RFL said: "Following the suspension of rugby league activity in March, there had been hopes that the Academy (Championship) could be rescheduled in some form when the season resumed – and the operational rules meetings of clubs in April deliberately kept alive that possibility.

"However the considerable logistical challenges that remain regarding a return to training and then to playing matches, which resulted last week in the cancellation of the senior Betfred Championship and League 1 seasons, have led to a reluctant acceptance that a resumption of the competition would not be practical.

"Planning has already begun for the resumption of Scholarships and Academies in 2021."

For their part, Bulls added: "The club would like to thank our Academy sponsors MCP Environmental for their support throughout these difficult times."