New look for Magic Weekend
Fourteen clubs playing seven matches over two days at one special venue – the new-look Magic Weekend is set to be bigger and better than ever before when engage Super League heads north to Edinburgh in 2010.
Murrayfield Stadium will again host seven engage Super League fixtures over the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend, May 1 and 2, when fans will notice a few important changes designed to add to their enjoyment of a fantastic Rugby League occasion.
For the first time four matches will be played on the Saturday, starting with a clash between Bradford Bulls and Crusaders RL, who are coached by Odsal legend Brian Noble, and three games will take place on Saturday, the finale a mouth-watering showdown between St Helens and Hull Kingston Rovers.
The full draw for Magic Weekend was made live on Sky Sports News last month and today the RFL can reveal the full running order.
After the Bradford-Crusaders opener Richard Agar’s new-look Hull FC will take on Harlequins RL in an intriguing match between two teams who emerged victorious from their respective games against Castleford and Salford last season.
Salford will not be short of motivation for their match against Warrington Wolves, who are likely to feature Richie Myler, the England international scrum-half who joined them from the City Reds at the end of the 2009 season.
The Saturday action concludes with a West Yorkshire derby involving Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. The engage Super League champions are unbeaten in their three Magic Weekend fixtures so far while Wakefield will look to do better than this year, when they lost 32-16 to Bradford.
Sunday’s action kicks off at 2.00pm with what could the closest contest of the weekend, a match between Castleford Tigers and Catalans Dragons. Just two points separated both sides in each of their two engage Super league XIV matches, the Tigers following up a 20-22 home defeat with a 24-22 success in Perpignan.
The next match will see Huddersfield bid to maintain their dominance over Wigan Warriors, who lost both matches against the Giants in 2009, before St Helens and Hull KR bring Magic Weekend 2010 to a thrilling climax.
Explaining the decision to play four matches on Day One, the RFL’s Director of Events and Projects Sally Bolton said fans could also take advantage of some fantastic ticket offers which will make Magic Weekend even better value than ever before.
“Many supporters told us they loved the overnight stay in Edinburgh on Saturday and would like to leave earlier on Sunday so we have taken the decision to open Magic Weekend with four matches,” said Bolton.
“Although there has been a slight price rise, we have also reviewed the seating classifications which means that many seats are now cheaper than they were last year.
“In addition engage Super League club season ticket holders are entitled to a 50 per cent discount which represents amazing value for seven first class fixtures.”
Prices for Magic Weekend tickets start from just £20 (£10 concessions) for one day and £30 (£15 concession) for the weekend and go on sale from Wednesday from the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 11 13 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk<http://www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk>
The 14 engage Super League clubs will receive their ticket allocations next week and fans should contact the clubs for details of availability.
The full schedule for Magic Weekend 2010 is as follows:
Saturday May 1
Bradford Bulls v Crusaders RL (1.00pm)
Hull FC v Harlequins RL (3.00pm)
Salford City Reds v Warrington Wolves (5.00pm)
Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity (7.00pm)
Sunday May 2
Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons (2.00pm)
Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants (4.00pm)
St Helens v Hull Kingston Rover (6.00pm)
