Update: Betfred Super League

The Betfred Super League fixture between Catalans Dragons and Hull FC that was scheduled for Perpignan on Thursday has been cancelled. 

Five Catalans players, and two members of their backroom staff, received positive tests for Covid-19 today (Wednesday) following tests conducted on Tuesday – and on that basis, it has been determined that the club should enter Stage 2 of the Multiple Cases Framework agreed between the RFL and Public Health England, involving a shutdown of up to five days to allow further antigen testing.

The club will undergo a further round of testing in the coming days to determine whether they can return to training in time to play their next scheduled fixture, at home to Warrington Wolves next Monday (October 26).

The postponement of the Hull FC game means the Catalans now have three outstanding fixtures, following the previous postponement of fixtures at home to Leeds Rhinos and away against Wigan Warriors.

Wigan, who were placed into Stage 2 of the Multiple Cases Framework last week following seven positive cases in the previous two rounds of testing, confirmed earlier today that they have returned to training after consecutive rounds of testing with no positives.

The Multiple Cases Group have also considered the situation at Wakefield Trinity, following positive results for three players and one member of their off-field staff this week, and have determined that their fixture against Huddersfield Giants can go ahead as scheduled on Thursday night (October 22) – having considered the specific circumstances at Wakefield.

This means they have been placed into Stage 1 of the Multiple Cases Framework – the intervention stage of the framework which includes a review of processes, but no requirement of a shutdown.

The full weekly round-up of Covid-19 testing figures for Betfred Super League this week will be released tomorrow morning, with one club’s results still be received.

There are eight fixtures scheduled over the next five days, as follows:

Thursday October 22: Castleford Tigers v Hull KR (530pm), Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Trinity (745pm).

Friday October 23: Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils (530pm), St Helens v Leeds Rhinos (745pm).

(all the above games at Totally Wicked Stadium and live on Sky Sports)

Sunday October 25: Wakefield Trinity v Hull KR (2pm, Mobile Rocket Stadium, live on Our League)

Monday October 26: Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves (615pm, Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan, live on Our League); Salford Red Devils v St Helens (530pm), Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos (745pm) – both at Emerald Headingley, live on Sky Sports.