Leeds Rhinos set sights on 'all three trophies' as Super League cleared for August comeback

Tom Briscoe scores away to Huddersfield Giants on August 2 last year, the game in which he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Fixtures will resume on Sunday, August 2, with Rhinos among six teams in action a week earlier than the rest, it was announced yesterday.

Rhinos will face Huddersfield Giants at 6.30pm in the final match of a triple-header also including Hull Kingston Rovers versus Toronto Wolfpack (1pm) and St Helens against Catalans Dragons (4.15pm).

The venue has not been announced, but all three games will be played behind closed doors and televised live by Sky Sports.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington took part in a four-hour clubs’ meeting yesterday and said: “For the Rhinos, we have all three trophies in our sights and I think the squad is healthy and raring to go.”

Winger Tom Briscoe is set to make his comeback for Rhinos against Giants, a year to the day after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a 44-0 win away to the same opponents.

And another knee injury victim, Kruise Leeming, could make his debut against the team he joined Leeds from last autumn.

An entire round of Super League fixtures will take place the following weekend, with Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity both involved.

Rhinos coach Richard Agar, left and director of rugby Kevin Sinfield are drawing up plans for a return to training on July 13. Picture by Simon Hulme.

The full fixture list has not been announced, but teams will play each other home and away with the six additional ‘loop matches’ and Magic Weekend all scrapped, giving a 22-round league season.

The Grand Final will be played at the end of November, on a date yet to be announced.

Next year’s Super League season will kick off later than the traditional final weekend in January/start of February.

The triple-header will be staged 140 days after Super League’s previous match, Castleford’s home win over St Helens on March 15.

Emerald Heaidngley is in contention to stage a triple-header when Super League returns on August 2. Picture by Allan McKenzie SWpix.com.

Fixture planning is now underway and the full schedule could be confirmed next week.

Details of the Coral Challenge Cup, however, are dependent on if or when the Betfred Championship and League One seasons resume.

A meeting on Thursday, involving the Rugby Football League and lower division clubs, deferred a decision until July 6 at the earliest.

Rhinos have not played since a 66-12 home win over Toronto on March 5.

They are third in the table, two points behind Wigan Warriors and Castleford and would go top on for and against with a victory over Giants.

Hetherington said: “Super League clubs have always been prepared to do whatever it takes to get back to playing and delivering as much of the 2020 Betfred Super League season as possible.

“So an extension to the end of November is sensible and we all look forward to playing in front of crowds as soon as we can.”

Hetherington believes crowds could return some time in September, but confirmed Leeds have applied to stage behind-closed-doors games.

Huddersfield, St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils are also in contention and Hetherington said: “A group has been put together and has scrutinised all the protocols and facilities and everything else.

“I think they are going to make a decision early next week. I think there is a pretty good chance Headingley will be one of them because we’ve got six changing rooms, brand new facilities and the most up to date medical amenities.”

Rhinos’ players are set to restart organised training 20 days before their opening game.

Director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: “We are hoping to return on July 13, but we are waiting for a date from the RFL/Super League to ensure competition integrity.”

Of yesterday’s restart announcement, Leeds coach Richard Agar said: “It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for.

“It is great news for everyone; for us as coaches, for our clubs and players and for spectators as well.”

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