Coaches have described this pre-season as the most bizarre in the long history of the Shute Shield and it's pretty hard to argue with that.

Delays, social distancing and no contact work added to coaching via Zoom meeting and WhatsApp groups, it's all been part of the mix.

But it's time and the footy is back and it's something we should celebrate in these times.

Here's Rugby News' look at the games this weekend:

WARRINGAH v SYDNEY UNI at Pittwater Rugby Park (TV game on Seven Two at 3pm)

It’s all theory and training drills until you head out on to the park but in many respects Warringah and Sydney Uni wouldn’t have it any other way as the Shute Shield makes its belated start this weekend.

A grand final replay from last year no less and two sides that are certain to be there or there about once the finals start up in October belting each other about.

Sydney Uni’s late come-from-behind victory in the heat at BankWest Stadium was one of the better grand finals of recent times and the rivalry between these two sides has only gone to a higher plane.

The Rats have retained much of their playing stock from last year, they will miss Hamish Angus at No.10 and Harry Jones out wide, but there is a depth of experience and talent in the group that signals to me that the “premiership window” is still open.

That grand final loss cut deep at the Rats and coach Mike Ruthven spoke of finishing the job when Rugby News spoke to him about this season’s prospects.