Leeds Rhinos announce four further coronavirus cases leaving Catalans Dragons fixture in doubt

[josie andrews]

Leeds Rhinos’ next Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons in the south of France looks certain to be called off after the club announced another four positive Covid-19 cases.

The Rhinos’ round nine match with St Helens, which was due to be played at Headingley on Friday night, was postponed after two players reported positive test results, with several others forced to self-isolate as a result.

Now the total of positives has gone up to six, with another seven players forced to isolate after coming into close contact, the Rugby Football League’s multiple case group has announced the closure of Leeds’ training ground for five days.

The club will carry out a further round of PCR testing on Monday, five days after their last training session together.

A spokesman said: “The rationale for this decision is to ensure that any trace of the virus is eradicated prior to return to the training ground.

“It is hoped that with the stand-down period being observed all cases will be picked up during this period and a return following gives a clear restart.

“ This process will remain under review depending on the test results over the next five days.”

If next Saturday’s game is postponed, it is thought the clubs will seek to re-arrange it for the weekend of the Challenge Cup final on July 17.

Huddersfield are hoping to play their home game against Wigan, which was also called on Friday as a result of a spate of positive Covid tests in the Giants camp, on that weekend.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... bt-3271021

[josie andrews]

Another Leeds Rhinos game postponed due to COVID

The Betfred Super League fixture between Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos, which was scheduled for Saturday (June 19) in Perpignan, has been postponed because of further positive Covid-19 tests in the Leeds squad.

The Rhinos’ home fixture against St Helens scheduled for last Friday (June 11) was postponed after two players had positive Covid-19 tests and a number of others were forced to isolate as close contacts, and after two subsequent rounds of testing – the latest on Monday – the number of positives has increased to eight.

The sport’s Multiple Cases Group have therefore extended the instruction for the club to postpone training for a further five days, until another round of PCR tests on Saturday (June 19).

The clubs have already begun discussions with the RFL and Super League Europe about rearranging the match later this summer.

Huddersfield Giants, whose fixture against Wigan Warriors scheduled for last Friday (June 11) had also been postponed under the game’s Multiple Cases Framework, have been cleared to resume training this week after a round of PCR testing last Friday contained no further positive tests – meaning Friday’s home fixture against Salford Red Devils can go ahead.

In the Betfred Women’s Super League, St Helens have also been cleared to resume training this week following the postponement of their scheduled fixture against Wigan Warriors last weekend – meaning their game against York City Knights scheduled for this Sunday (June 20) can also go ahead.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/another- ... vid-40217/