The NRL could soon make a surprise return, with the Australian Rugby League Commission expected to sign off on the competition's return at the NRL innovation committee meeting on Thursday.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports two proposals will be discussed at the meeting and a 15-round competition based in Sydney is the preferred option with a hopeful return date of May 21. The alternative proposal is a two-conference system, splitting the competition in half, but was met with some resistance by some players on a Rugby League Players' Association call earlier in the week.
Following Thursday's meeting, a recommendation will be put to the commission and a decision on the structure and future of the game will likely be announced.
Should a Sydney-based competition go ahead, the Warriors, Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne Storm would have to move to Sydney for at least two weeks due to border restrictions. However, the hope is they will be able to return home after that and get chartered flights to games on game day.
