Super League fixtures re-shuffled after coronavirus outbreak

Super League has moved quickly to re-shuffle this weekend’s fixtures after six Hull FC players tested positive for coronavirus.

With Hull and Salford out of action as a response to the positive tests, their scheduled games against Castleford and Catalans were postponed.

It means that Wakefield will now play Catalans on Saturday (4.15pm), while Castleford will take on St Helens on Sunday (4.15pm).

Huddersfield’s game with Warrington has been moved to a later kick-off time on Saturday (6.30pm), while Leeds and Wigan will play as scheduled at the same time on Sunday evening.

All four games will be played at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens.

Betfred Super League Executive Chairman Robert Elstone said: “Throughout this crisis our priority has been to ensure we minimise any risk, and the postponement of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures involving Hull FC and Salford underlines that approach.

“It left us with another challenging situation, but it is a credit to the solidarity of the Betfred Super League clubs who agreed to adjust the fixture list at such short notice.

“We also appreciate the ongoing support and flexibility of our broadcast partner, and are pleased that we remain able to present four great Super League fixtures this weekend, all live on Sky Sports.”

The rescheduling of the St Helens versus Castleford Tigers fixture leaves a gap in the Round 16 programme, which will now be filled by the St Helens versus Wakefield Trinity match which had been due for this weekend.

The rescheduling means that a new date will be found for Catalans Dragons’ home game against Wakefield Trinity, which had also been due to be played in Round 16. Those details, along with those regarding the Hull-Castleford and Salford-Catalans matches which had been due this weekend, will be announced when confirmed.

The RFL will make a further announcement as soon as possible regarding the Coral Challenge Cup Sixth Round ties scheduled for Saturday week, August 22 – when Hull FC are due to play Castleford Tigers.