The IRL Board had presentations from members and from its COVID-19 Response Committee (CRC) at its latest meeting.

The Response Committee includes chair Greg Barclay, deputy chairs Graeme Thompson and Troy Grant, as well as independent director Emma Young and chief executive Nigel Wood.

Discussions with members and interested parties are now set to take place, based on the information received.

The IRL said it is hoping to find the “best and most viable solutions to the various and sometimes competing problems.”

“We have been in regular dialogue with the members throughout this period of uncertainty,” said Barclay.

“Clearly, each nation is at a different stage in the whole process and everyone is trying to plan for the best possible outcome.

“The CRC allows us to be nimble in our responses as we all seek the best financial and commercial outcomes and promptly maximise opportunities that arise.

“The planned 2020 international calendar was set to be the biggest programme ever with the Oceania Cup, European Championships, MEA Championship and Americas Championship.

“The full programme is being reviewed by IRL and its confederations, Asia Pacific Rugby League and Rugby League European Federation.”

The MEA Championship, featuring teams in the Middle East and Africa, will currently take place in October.

Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa are due to compete at the event.

The European Championships, featuring 12 nations, is also due to take place in October, while the four-nation Americas Championship follows in November.

Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation postponed the Oceania Cup, which was due to take place in March, but said it was planning to deliver matches scheduled for October.

The IRL Board also heard updates on the development of a new governing body in Tonga, as well as considering further policies around the eligibility of players.

The Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) was expelled by the IRL in March.

The body was suspended by IRL in October after governance concerns were raised by the office of the Prime Minister of Tonga, the Tonga Sports Council, the Rugby Football League, the Australian Rugby League Commission and the Rugby League Players Association.

An appeal was lodged by the TNRL Board in February, but the IRL membership confirmed the IRL Board decision to expel TNRL by a majority of nine votes to five in March.

The IRL also said a physical disability sub-committee has been created to manage the codification of rules globally.

Peter Beattie, former Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games chairman and IRL deputy chair, has rejoined the IRL Board.

He will serve as one of the Asia Pacific Rugby League representatives.

Beattie replaces Todd Greenberg, following the official’s resignation last month as chief executive of National Rugby League (NRL), the top-level domestic men's competition in the sport in Australia.

The next IRL meeting, which was scheduled to take place in Toronto, has been cancelled due to travel restrictions.