As he says, rugby union "is good for the soul".

So when months of pre-season training and preparation for what was shaping up as a bumper 2020 Blowes Clothing Cup campaign was quashed thanks to COVID-19, Prior, who's been at the Forbes rugby club for 40 years this season, felt it more than most.

The sudden break was anything but good for Prior's soul.

The lockdown the entire country went through was felt hard in communities, like Forbes, that rely on sporting clubs as an outlet for social interaction.

But, with rugby back and the Platypi seemingly building to another late season finals charge, Prior's starting to smile again.

"This is a good competition, it's good for the soul. Everyone struggles out here and if we're not playing footy, that's not healthy," Prior said following Forbes' tough, 8-0 loss to Emus in Orange.

He said coming together as a sporting community at this point in the pandemic is important for those in the bush.

"I think it is, we started training November last year and had 70-odd at training. Numbers dropped off when we started again ... a few people thought the year was over," he added.

"But we've started playing and the bonfire was lit again and they've started turning up. It's been a challenge.

"We're not making excuses though, everyone's in the same boat."

Alongside Forbes on that seat in the boat sits Emus, a side Prior has great admiration for.

The two clubs fought out two consecutive grand finals in Orange, the first in 2016 at a mud-covered Endeavour Oval before the Platypi broke through to claim an elusive premiership the next year at the same venue.

Prior says Emus are again the benchmark side in what is a shortened campaign in 2020, and the key to competing with the green juggernaut is simply not giving them a sniff.

"These guys here at Emus, they've had a great nucleus of players for the last 10 years," he said.

"It's an open season though. It's so enjoyable. But you can't make mistakes against a side like Emus. They make you pay.

"It's bloody hard though. (Emus has) done well, congratulations to these blokes ... a change of the guard will come soon. It can't keep going forever."

Which, he freely admits, is another boat he's got a ticket for as well.

Prior says his "days are numbered" as part of the Forbes club, in an official capacity, but he's pleased to see the club on the up.

While results haven't been coming for the fifth-placed Platypi in the top grade, the club has been able to form a colts outfit and the Forbes' women's side continues to shine.

Prior says seeing the club continue to prove to be a positive in the Forbes community was something he's extremely proud of - and will continue to be well into the future.

"This is my 40^th year with the club, 35^th coaching. It's been a wonderful thing, rugby," he said.