Whitehaven's hopes of a Summer Bash appearance have now been scuppered with the event the latest to fall foul of the coronavirus.

Given that all rugby league action on the field is currently suspended amid the pandemic, the sport's governing body decided that there was little chance that the event, due to take place in Blackpool in just over a month, would go ahead considering the country's current lockdown status.

Haven boss Gary Charlton admitted it was disappointing not to be able to take part in the showcase in their first season back in the Championship - but also said he had expected the decision.

"I think it was expected. At the end of the day this is all about people's lives and until we have everything sorted, sport has to come a good second," said Charlton.

"It's a shame as it is a brilliant event and I've never been involved in it before but some of the players have and said it is really good and they were looking forward to it."

But he declared they would hopefully be involved next year as he hopes to start picking up some points when, and if, the season resumes.

"I think we were unlucky in a couple of games and we have been competitive in three or four more as well so we just need to get that first win and I think we can go on from there," he added.

the RFL statement on the cancellation said: "The RFL and the clubs have agreed there is no realistic prospect of staging the event as planned this year – and that it is best to make the decision now for the clarity of clubs, players, supporters and other stakeholders.

"The concept of a round of fixtures being played at a single venue at some stage in 2020 – whether in the Betfred Championship and/or League 1, or the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup – remains one of the possibilities in the wide variety of options in the contingency planning being considered by the RFL and the clubs."

The players are all keeping up their fitness while the lockdown is ongoing and Charlton hopes they will be raring to get back into action when allowed.

In the meantime they have been taking on a charity challenge to play their part in community efforts to help frontline workers.