An expanded 13-team competition and some potential law changes are on the cards for the Shute Shield as it prepares to kick off in July.
Sydney Rugby Union is working towards a restart date of July 18, with hopes that contract training will be permitted from June 18.
The Sydney Rugby Union is now hoping that both Penrith and Newcastle will be part of a 13-team competition provided they meet certain standards.
It was initially planning a 12-team competition kicking off on July 25 but with the option of including both teams, that timeline has been brought forward a week for a 13-team, 16 week competition.
The finals series would remain a top six with October 31 pencilled in for the Shute Shield grand final.
That timeline will be dependent on government restrictions being relaxed in coming weeks.
Currently, NSW residents can gather for exercise in groups of 10 but no contact training is allowed.
Each team in the competition will need to be able to field a colts team and a first and second grade team at minimum.
SRU president Phillip Parsons said he was confident the two teams would be able to meet the requirements both in participation and ensuring a safe environment under COVID-19 restrictions.
"We strongly believe they’ll make it but it is important they were able to demostrate that before being given automatic entry into the Shute Shield this year.
"The Shute shield is a tough place, Penrith have been there before and they have seen that.
"We don't want to compromise the quality of the Shute Shield so it's important they can meet those participation standards.
Penrith has been out of the Shute Shield since 2018 after the SRU voted for the team to be axed over an inability to meet competition standards.
A Newcastle representative team was part of the competition from 1995 to 1999 but has not been in the mix since then.
There is no guarantee that either side will be in the Shute Shield long-term.
Parsons also said the SRU board was talking with Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby about introducing some law trials for the tournament.
"We thought we’d try something different this year because we've got the opportunity to try that with a shortened competition.
"We'll be more more concerned with other changes perhaps as we get closer to starting, including some rule changes."
Rule changes have been a topic of hot debate in recent weeks at all levels of Australian rugby and Parsons said a concept like a scrum clock aimed at speeding the game up were being considered.
