SUPER League will be watching with interest at the return of the Premier League as sport gets back under way following the pandemic.

Government gave the green light to professional sport returning behind-closed-doors at the weekend.

The Premier League will be back in mid-June and while no dates have yet been confirmed, Super League could return in mid-August with a Grand Final likely at the end of November.

Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick says talks continue but that a new set of fixtures could be agreed by the end of June.

He added: “We want to backload the fixtures as much as possible. And an August start gives us the chance to see how the Premier League goes behind closed doors.”

The NRL returned at the weekend with automated crowd noises, close-in camera angles and cut-outs of fans. And The Wire are looking at how the sport would look without fans – at least in the short term.

Fitzpatrick added: “The NRL have done a fantastic job. And we are looking at a number of innovations.

“They have promoted the product really well. Some of the viewing figures have been incredible. It has presented well – certainly compared with the Bundesliga which has felt like a practice match.

“We are looking at a number of options to get fans in. I have been looking at what they are doing at the Hard Rock Stadium where Miami Dolphins play to see what a socially distanced stadium looks like.

“Attendance maybe a percentage of a stadium figure, a set number of people, or reduced capacity. We’ll work on government guidance.”

When the sport does return, it is likely the first few rounds until at least October will be behind closed doors in one or two stadiums to reduce production costs for Sky and costs of opening stadiums to clubs.

Fans, especially members, could then potentially return. In the meantime, offering broadcasts of games online is being considered.

Fitzpatrick added: “We are also exploring streaming games. Sky have all the rights to broadcast all the games, but there is a production cost to that. So could there be options for us to stream games which Sky don’t broadcast.”

An August start will also help the finances at Super League clubs.

The government’s furlough scheme begins to run out at the end of July. So players could return to training from the start of August in time for a resumption.

The Challenge Cup is also likely to be contested.

With the Ashes series now cancelled, with a loss of more than £1million, the cup would be a welcome boost to the coffers of the RFL.

Warrington are due to play Wigan away in the next round after they lifted the trophy in August last year at Wembley.

It is unlikely that this year’s final would be held at Wembley however, with issues around the availability of the national stadium.