Player drop out - Post Covid

I'm sure there will be some fallout on the lines you suggest but I think most players are in the game because they enjoy it. Getting battered and doing some battering themselves is all part of the thrill of the physical contest. If you are good enough to get paid for doing it, that's a nice bonus. If there's a mass "right we're not going to pay anyone any more" then that's a different kettle of fish. There will doubtless be some clubs who take that route but I think it will be in the minority. Clubs will make their own mind up between "Do we want to play at a decent level with all the costs that inevitably incurs?"