Tournament organisers remain adamant they have the support for this year's World Cup to go ahead, after last year's controversial postponement.

Clubs and NRL bosses were among the key sticking points last season when it came to COVID and concerns over quarantine, after both Australia and New Zealand pulled out of the event.

Organisers are still trying to work out exactly what protocols and restrictions will be in place for this year's tournament, as rules continue to be relaxed in England.

But the key message will be players will be safe and won't be placed under harsh restrictions in this year's tournament, with up to 350 players and staff expected to come from the NRL.

"I would frame my trip as not alleviating concerns, but more relationship building," Dutton said.

"It's obviously well documented what happened last year in completely different circumstances.

"I reached out to all of the clubs, wished them well ahead of the NRL season.

"This is 200 days to go for the second time. It feels really different. The world around us has improved.

"We can never be complacent about it, but it feels different. I think we've got great commitment from everyone."

Organisers must still finalise broadcast rights deals in Australia, with a previous deal with streaming service Sports Flick having since fallen through.

Warm-up games also appear unlikely for the likes of the Kangaroos, given there are just 13 days between the NRL grand final and their first game against Fiji in Leeds on October 15.

But the biggest challenge will remain COVID.

Under ever-changing rules in the UK, a five-day isolation period is no longer mandatory but only recommended for positive cases.

Super League clubs have still agreed to try and stop the spread, but World Cup organisers admit they cannot know what their rules will be for at least another four months.

"We're a couple of weeks from sending the first draft COVID policies and procedures documents out to the nations," Dutton said.

"We'll send that, get feedback and revise over the (UK) summer, and then we will fix that around about the end of July and into August.

"What we don't want to do is we don't want to put procedures in place that are prohibitive to players and staff enjoying the tournament.

"Likewise, we obviously want to create a safe environment. We don't want to lose players, we don't lose games. So it's that careful balance."

Australian Associated Press