Easts backrower and former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen hopes club rugby will be opened up to Super Rugby squad members as the Premier Rugby season kicks off.
Currently any player in a wider Super Rugby squad is barred from playing or training with club sides due to the risk of potential coronavirus transmission.
News on Wednesday that Queensland had declared greater Sydney a coronavirus hotspot, beginning on Saturday August 1, put any further easing in doubt across the board.
Mowen said he hoped that restrictions would be relaxed during the season to allow some of the teams' younger players the opportunity to play some rugby.
With no reserve grade at Super Rugby level, players who aren't playing in the match day 23 and Mowen said he hoped those players would have the chance to pull on the boots.
"I think one of the positives is there are more opportunities for younger guys coming through but I'd like to see those guys be released to play imp development," he said.
"The only way to improve your game is to play match footy only to enhance your performances on weekend.
"It'll be disappointing if guys put in a year's work into preparing bodies but don't get the chance to play footy.
"There's still a bit of time to pass between now and then (the end of the year) but I know the extended Reds squad, they're passionate about playing club rugby too.
"It's great for supporters, great for players great for teams to get that exposure so it's a win all round."
Mowen will be one of the biggest names in premier rugby when it kicks off this weekend, just over four months since its scheduled start.
The coronavirus pandemic has opened the door for Mowen to add another chapter to his "Johnny Farnham farewell tour" and suit up for Easts this season.
Mowen was originally set to be part of the Junior Wallabies' coaching setup for this season, which would have reduced his availability for premier rugby.
Instead, he will be able to play the full, albeit shortened, season with his beloved Easts Tigers.
"I think it's a Johnny Farnham, every tour's the last tour," he joked.
"I love being a part of the club playing rugby as long as my schedule allows I'll stay involved but as far as a full and complete season, the way it's set up with a short eight round this year and my schedule being freed up, it will probably be my last full season."
Mowen said it was exciting that club rugby could return after so many months of uncertainty.
"I think club rugby's always been extremely strong and the way people align themselves with their clubs it's obviously an important part of the community that's been taken away," he said.
"Not just for players but supporters and the locals, everyone's really excited to get down to the local parks and enjoy it again.
"It's been a long delay so everyone's really excited about it."
While the Junior Wallabies season has effectively been wiped out in the wake of the pandemic, Mowen has been working with the Reds academy part-time and also visiting schools and clubs in the wider south-east Queensland region.
"I've been floating around trying to help out teams - been to the Noosa Dolphins and just visiting some schools and trying to get that connection with players coming through.
"It's exciting - there's a really good wave of talent in the next generation coming through."
Easts take on Sunnybank in their opening Hospital Challenge Cup clash, with the competition final on October 31.
The Hospital Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend, with all matches LIVE on qld.rugby and via the Rugby Xplorer App.
