Investigation begins after Castleford Tigers report more positive tests for Covid-19

Results from Tigers’ latest round of tests, on Tuesday, revealed three more positive cases, affecting one player and two members of the coaching staff.

That takes the number of positive tests among Tigers’ performance group to 20.

The whole playing squad and all coaching staff remain in isolation, having entered a 14-day lockdown period following the club’s initial positive results on Tuesday, October 27 - the day after Tigers were beaten 28-24 by Leeds Rhinos at Emerald Headingley.

Another round of testing will take place today.

A Tigers statement said: “Castleford Tigers continue to work closely with the RFL’s multiple cases group and compliance department regarding the situation, along with Public Health England.”

Tigers’ games against Rhinos tonight and Salford Red Devils on Monday were both cancelled earlier this week.

The Castleford outbreak, along with positive cases at Hull KR, led to the Betfred Super League season being ended early and play-offs expanded from four to six teams.

All regular-season matches, after today’s double-header at Headingley when Wakefield Trinity face Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors aoim to secure the league leaders’ shield with victory over Huddersfield Giants, have been called off.

That means Tigers will not play again this year and are set to finish eighth on the table with 10 defeats from 16 games and a win percentage of 37.50.

That is their lowest placing since 2013.

The outbreak at Castleford led to four Rhinos players - Tom Briscoe, Konrad Hurrell, Matt Prior and Richie Myler - going into self-isolation under the test and trace protocol.

They missed successive games against Wakefield Trinity, but will be available when Rhinos begin their play-offs campaign against Catalans Dragons next Friday.

An RFL spokesman said Tigers are working with the governing body’s compliance department to find out what has happened and learn lessons from it.

“That process began officially this week,” he confirmed.

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.