Wigan to play Castleford in R10 after Catalans clash postponed

[josie andrews]

Catalans Dragons’ Betfred Super League fixture against Wigan Warriors, which had been scheduled for this Saturday (August 29), has been postponed, after three Dragons players and a member of their non-playing staff returned positive tests in routine Covid-19 testing today (Tuesday).

Wigan Warriors will now play Castleford Tigers, in a fixture which had been due in Round 18.

Castleford had been due to have a bye this weekend, but all clubs with a bye have been instructed to be on stand-by to step up in such an eventuality, given the exceptional current circumstances.

The Dragons squad were all instructed to isolate as soon as the news of the positive tests was received, prompting the postponement of the Wigan fixture. They will have further tests later this week.

Of the players who have tested positive, two played in Saturday’s Coral Challenge Cup tie against Wakefield Trinity. Test and trace analysis has shown that two of the Wakefield players will also be required to self-isolate – but at this stage their fixture against Warrington Wolves is expected to go ahead as scheduled on Sunday.

This weekend’s Betfred Super League programme, with all fixtures at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and live on Sky Sports, is now as follows:

Saturday

Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers (4:15pm)
Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils (6:30pm)
Sunday

Hull KR vs St Helens (1pm)
Huddersfield Giants vs Hull FC (4:15pm),
Warrington Wolves vs Wakefield Trinity (6:30pm)

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2020/08/ ... postponed/

[fozzieskem]

This is getting silly now where are they going to play all these rearranged fixtures that are piling up?

[Barney841]

This is getting silly now where are they going to play all these rearranged fixtures that are piling up?

Well what do you suggest then? Forfeit the season? Because that’s will happen if it’s not rearranged as the season would be deemed unfair

[the pieman]

This is getting silly now where are they going to play all these rearranged fixtures that are piling up?

Well what do you suggest then? Forfeit the season? Because that’s will happen if it’s not rearranged as the season would be deemed unfair

Agree, i personally think that for once the RFL / SL are doing something proactive with the game to keep it moving. We all know it isnt perfect, but they are playing games, and it appears that with a bit of planning ie weekend off for Cas, that it has worked as they are able to complete a fixture that would otherwise have been cancelled.
the bigger challenge comes trying to fit in the games, if more get cancelled or re-arranged, but for now i think that they are showing some initiative and managing to fulfil fixtures.

on the flip side, can you imaging Powell's post match interview . We should have been sunning ourselves in Cas Vegas, i've no team and they are all injured, and now we have to play top of the league with no preparation. i may tune in just to listen to him griping .

[Barney841]

Exactly. It’s not practical rearranging the games but with what’s going on at the moment I think RFL are doing what they can to keep the season moving.

[Bilko]

This is getting silly now where are they going to play all these rearranged fixtures that are piling up?

The fact Toronto dropped out does allow for a little big of wiggle room, hence Cas are free to play this week. But it'll get more problematic when midweek games kick in if it keeps happening.

[fozzieskem]

This is getting silly now where are they going to play all these rearranged fixtures that are piling up?

The fact Toronto dropped out does allow for a little big of wiggle room, hence Cas are free to play this week. But it'll get more problematic when midweek games kick in if it keeps happening.

But only a little..I feel this to me at least is the end of the wiggle room that Toronto as you rightly say gave the sport, but Wakefield have players isolating and ifs thats the case then their game at the week end has to be postponed surely?

Then we really are into the territory of players being expected to play 3 games a week..so much for player welfare?