St Helens Betfred Super League fixture against Hull KR scheduled for Friday 23 July has unfortunately been postponed under the Covid Fixture Protocols.
As per the RFL Covid Protocals, the Club lateral flow tested all of its squad before our trip to Wembley for the Betfred Challenge Cup Final with all results coming back negative.
Following the travel back from Wembley, the whole squad and coaching staff were then lateral flow tested again on arrival at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Monday before the Club’s homecoming parade that same evening – organised with St Helens council and in-line with government protocols.
All the players and staff who were present on the homecoming parade bus returned negative lateral flow tests.
One player who was not part of the 21 man squad at Wembley returned a positive lateral flow test. The Club therefore made the sensible decision to then PCR test the whole squad and coaching staff with the health and well-being of the players and their families being paramount.
The PCR tests have since returned a further two positive tests which has subsequently led to a large number of the squad having to self isolate through track and trace and close contacts.
The Club has therefore had more than seven of our top 25 players required to isolate meaning the game has to be postponed under the Covid Fixture Protocols.
The postponed fixture will be added to the list for possible rearrangement, although the Betfred Super League table will be determined by win points percentage to allow for the possibility of not all fixtures being fulfilled.
In other fixture news, Catalans Dragons had been due to play Castleford Tigers on Saturday, but the Tigers also have more than seven of their top 25 players required to isolate either following positive Covid tests or as close contacts, allowing them to postpone the match under the protocols. This has led to the rearrangement of Hull KR’s outstanding away fixture at Catalans Dragons for Saturday night (July 24).
Karen Moorhouse, the RFL’s Chief Regulatory Officer said: “The growing number of postponements, while reflecting the prevalence of Covid-19 in society, is a major concern for Rugby League as for other sports,
“In that context, Hull KR’s willingness to rearrange their away match against Catalans Dragons is an example of the flexibility that served the sport so well through 2020, and which may be required over the coming weeks and months.”
Rhodri Jones, Super League chief commercial officer added: “I would like to thank Hull KR for their willingness to accommodate a late fixture change to this week’s schedule and helping to ensure a game goes ahead in Perpignan.”
Discussions are ongoing over the impact of the situation at St Helens and Castleford on further fixtures next week, with further announcements to be made as soon as possible.
REFUND DETAILS
Should the fixture be permanently cancelled, 2021 Members, including Half Members, will be able to claim a refund for the value of this missed fixture.
If it is rearranged to an alternative date later in the season, your ticket will still be valid for entry to the fixture.
An adjusted ticketing package for the remaining home games of the 2021 season will be on sale once fixture details are confirmed.
Refunds for the value of home fixtures that were played with a limited capacity (Salford, Hull FC, Warrington, Wigan) and that Members were not balloted for will begin to be processed from Tuesday 27th July.
2021 Members are still also able to claim their refunds for the first three matches of the season that were either not included on the fixture schedule or played behind closed doors. These can be claimed, as with the above, by contacting the Ticket Office at the Totally Wicked Stadium, by calling 01744 455052 or by emailing: [email protected]
