PONTYPOOL have told supporters they face a lengthy wait to get their rugby fix after stressing the Welsh club game faces a"long road ahead" to return from the coronavirus pandemic.

Pooler, who were battling Bargoed for promotion to the Premiership when the 2019/20 campaign was cancelled because of the Covid-19 crisis, joined fellow clubs on a Welsh Rugby Union 'Return to Play' video conference.

The Championship champions have passed on information to their fans, telling them that the prospect of a swift and normal return to action for 2020/21 is unrealistic.

Chief executive Ben Jeffreys also explained to supporters why they have resisted the temptation to announce any signings or departures.

South Wales Argus:

"We have been reluctant to give the impression that things are business as usual," he wrote.

"To behave as though rugby will be resuming any time soon by making a raft of announcements would be irresponsible.

"I feel it is more important to be transparent with you at this stage, rather than offer false hope.

"Based on the information provided to us by the Welsh Rugby Union this evening, it is clear that Welsh club rugby will not be resuming for a prolonged period of time.

"It is also clear that when we initiate the process of returning to play, the way in which we operate will be very different to what we have become so accustomed to in recent years.

"Sadly, I fear we all need to be realistic in accepting that we will be faced with a 'new normal' for the foreseeable future. There is clearly a long road ahead."

While professional rugby is aiming to return with Welsh derbies at the end of August, the community game faces a longer wait.

READ MORE: WRU issue update on return of community game

Last season Pooler won the Talywain Sevens in July, prepared for the season with friendlies in August and kicked off against Beddau in September.

South Wales Argus:

"Because of the current uncertainty as to when rugby can safely resume operations, we do not feel it would be appropriate to sell any form of ticketing packages for next season at this moment in time," said Jeffreys.

"We currently have no information regarding what our league structure will look like and whether any fixtures will need to be played behind closed doors, which makes formulating a fair pricing structure prohibitive at this stage."

Nonetheless, head coach Leighton Jones and his management team are plotting another promotion bid as Pooler hunt a return to the top flight for the first time since 2013.

"All new player registrations and transfers have been halted by the Welsh Rugby Union, so we are unable to complete the procedures required to formally sign players," said Jeffreys.

"However, please do not mistake this for a lack of activity. We have been actively working behind the scenes on formulating a competitive team for when rugby can safely resume."

Pooler had won all 16 games to lead the Championship when the season was cancelled, although Bargoed were on their tail and had home advantage in what would have been a hum-dinger on the penultimate weekend of the season.

The WRU scrapped promotion and relegation in all of their leagues and cancelled the cup competitions.