The RFL today publishes the fixtures list for the return of Academy Rugby League in 2021 – a highly significant moment for the nine clubs from the Betfred Super League and three from the Championship involved.
The fixtures begin on Friday May 14, when Bradford Bulls face Wigan Warriors, and run until the weekend of September 25-26. Saints Academy have a ‘bye’ in the opening week, but will kick off against London Broncos on Sunday 23 May at 2pm.
All Saints Academy Home fixtures will be played at the Totally Wicked Stadium and details on the potential of fans attending will be announced in due course.
There will be no formal Academy Championship this season, after an agreement between the RFL and Heads of Youth at the clubs that the priority should be maximising playing and development opportunities for young players, after the loss of the bulk of the 2020 season as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, the competition has reverted to Under-19s in 2021 – again, a practical response to the impact of Covid-19, as that has led to the postponement of the Reserve Grade competition which had been introduced for 2020 and involved the Academy becoming a competition for Under-18s.
Saints Academy Fixtures in Full
| Date | KO | Opponents |
| Bye | ||
| Sun 23rd May | 2.00pm | London Broncos (h) |
| Sun 30th May | 2.00pm | Wigan Warriors (a) |
| Sat 12th June | 12noon | Huddersfield Giants (h) |
| Sat 19th June | 12noon | Castleford Tigers (h) |
| Sat 26th June | 2.00pm | Hull FC (a) |
| Fri 2nd July | 7.30pm | Bradford Bulls (a) |
| Sat 10th July | 2.00pm | Warrington Wolves (a) |
| Sun 25th July | 2.00pm | Warrington Wolves (a) |
| Sat 31st July | 2.00pm | Wakefield Trinity (a) |
| Sat 7th Aug | 2.00pm | Newcastle Thunder (h) |
| Sun 15th Aug | 2.00pm | London Broncos (a) |
| Sat 21st Aug | 12noon | Wigan Warriors (h) |
| Sat 28th Aug | 12noon | Hull FC (h) |
| Sat 4th Sept | 12noon | Bradford Bulls (h) |
| Sat 11th Sept | 12noon | Warrington Wolves (h) |
| Sat 18th Sept | 12noon | Wakefield Trinity (h) |
| Sun 26th Sept | 2.00pm | Newcastle Thunder (a) |
