St Helens ‘refuse’ to travel for Catalan match, claims Dragons President

[josie andrews]

St Helens have refused to travel to Perpignan to face Catalans on Thursday according to the Dragons president Bernard Guasch.

The Super League champions are due to take on the Dragons, who still need to play two matches to reach the 15 games required to qualify for the play-offs.

Their game with Hull KR has been cancelled due to a Covid outbreak at the club.

Speaking to L’Independant, Guasch said: “We asked to have the match won since they refused to come and the English leaders did not want to know anything.

“The RFL asked us on Sunday to stay in England for a month as soon as the Salford game is over. It’s still big, how do you expect the players to organise themselves to put everything in place with their families?”

It means there could be just two games this weekend. Castleford’s game with Leeds is off while Hull KR’s game with Warrington has also been postponed due to Covid-related issues.

https://www.totalrl.com/st-helens-refus ... president/

[Charriots Offiah]

This is getting farcical, at this rate there will be no end to this season and I can see legal challenges a plenty.

[Mike]

Will saints be defaulted?

[Firestarter]

Awwwww didums are they scared of lising three on the bounce? Only team not had any covid and still lying second....... get on with it or be deducted for me........ i have to work through it and nobody gets tested at my place

[Mike]

Salford get defaulted for not having enough players, and they could have been one win outside the new playoff top 6 if they'd have been able to win.

Saints *refuse* to complete a fixture, and just have it cancelled. No default.

Double standards.

[Mike]

Just saw the salford points deduction, so their default didn't really make any difference after all!

[wall_of_voodoo]

Salford get defaulted for not having enough players, and they could have been one win outside the new playoff top 6 if they'd have been able to win.

Saints *refuse* to complete a fixture, and just have it cancelled. No default.

Double standards.

Not sure they refused. The official line is this

In light of imminent national lockdown measures in England, St Helens' trip to Catalans Dragons, which had been scheduled for Thursday, has now been cancelled as both teams have already qualified for a top-six place.

Now if soccer clubs are allowed to jet all over Europe for fixtures then I suppose questions could (should ) be asked about intentions to fulfill their fixture list - especially as they have benefited from played a large chunk of home/away games at their home ground

[Charriots Offiah]

It has all been superseded by the changes to the playoffs.

[pedro]

Salford get defaulted for not having enough players, and they could have been one win outside the new playoff top 6 if they'd have been able to win.

Saints *refuse* to complete a fixture, and just have it cancelled. No default.

Double standards.

Not sure they refused. The official line is this

In light of imminent national lockdown measures in England, St Helens' trip to Catalans Dragons, which had been scheduled for Thursday, has now been cancelled as both teams have already qualified for a top-six place.

Now if soccer clubs are allowed to jet all over Europe for fixtures then I suppose questions could (should ) be asked about intentions to fulfill their fixture list - especially as they have benefited from played a large chunk of home/away games at their home ground

but we have qualified and Hudds cant move places so why are we playing?

[doc]

We will have played same no of games as all other teams in the top 6 then other than Catalans.

Can't see how they can punish Saints after they didn't punish Leeds earlier in the season.

We should beat the Giants making the outcome of the Saints match immaterial so why take the risk.

Go full strength and beat the Giants before having a week off before the play off semi.

Only problem with the new structure is the team finishing top doesn't have a second bite of the cherry.