By MARK CASHMAN

Rugby in the Penrith district will have a major presence in 2021 after the Sydney Rugby Union board unanimously agreed to the Emus’ continued presence in the Shute Shield at a meeting on Wednesday night.

The SRU’s club presidents and board gave the green light to Penrith to play in the competition next season after they were brought into mix along with the Hunter Wildfires at short notice earlier this year.

That was in and around the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown and the club has made significant progress under head coach John Muggleton and his team.