Leeds-Wakefield game called off; six Warrington players in self-isolation

Super League has confirmed that Wakefield’s game against Leeds scheduled for Thursday night has now been postponed.

Two further positive coronavirus cases in the Wakefield camp were confirmed last night, so the game between Castleford and Salford will now kick-off at 8.15pm at Headingley on Thursday, having previously been scheduled for 2.30pm.

The Wakefield squad will have a further set of tests on Friday before a decision is made about their fixture against Hull FC scheduled for next Thursday (September 10).

It is the second coronavirus postponement to impact the Rhinos this weekend – they had been due to travel to France to play Catalans on Monday, but that game was cancelled last week following the outbreak in the Dragons side.

Although Warrington’s playing and coaching staff have already had a full set of negative tests this week, six of the Wolves players have been required to self-isolate for 14 days following Test and Trace analysis of their fixture against Wakefield last weekend – meaning they will be unavailable for the fixtures against Hull FC and against Castleford Tigers next Thursday.

Karen Moorhouse, the RFL’s Chief Regulatory Officer, said: “In what are unprecedented and uniquely challenging circumstances for the sport, we should first recognise the importance of the health and wellbeing of the players and other staff, and their families, at the clubs who have been affected.

“Again, we have been forced as a sport to show our ability to move quickly to ensure we still have a programme of four attractive fixtures in the Betfred Super League – and again, we are grateful to the flexibility of the clubs involved, and of our broadcast partners, in agreeing to these changes at such short notice.”