Leeds Rhinos chief hopeful fans will return to Headingley for September Super League clash with Catalans Dragons

All three Betfred Super League rounds - plus a Coral Challenge Cup tie - completed since the sport returned from its coronavirus lockdown have been played behind closed doors.

Fixtures up to September 12 have been confirmed with Warrington Wolves’ HJ Stadium due to host this weekend’s matches, before round 11 is played at Leeds’ Emerald Headingley and then the action switches to St Helens a week later.

A full round of fixtures, including Leeds’ home game against Catalans, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 and Hetherington hopes the ban on crowds will be lifted in time for fans to attend that match.

“We have been told by the government we can look forward to games [in front of a crowd] from October 1 and we would hope that to be September 30,” Hetherington said.

Leeds staged seven games over three days when the competition resumed almost four weeks ago and Hetherington reckons that experience will boost their hopes of fans being allowed back into the stadium at the end of next month

He added: “I think the fact we have actually hosted games, albeit without crowds, is a big help.

“Having a variety of protocols in place is helpful. The government guidance is they want to see games with crowds from October 1.

“The RFL are working really closely with them and we are waiting for more information now regarding the next stage."

Rhinos are due to travel to Perpignan to face Catalans on Monday, September 7. Under new French government guidelines, that is set to be the first Super League game played in front of fans since March.

Covid-19 travel restrictions have caused some doubt over whether the game will go ahead in France and Rhinos have yet to confirm their travel plans. Hetherington said: “We understand both Super League and the RFL will be monitoring the situation and we are awaiting further information and guidance.”

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