Leeds Rhinos undergo Covid testing as Super League draws up play-offs back-up plan

The four clubs in action this weekend will all be tested ahead of the opening round of matches.

Betfred Super League have confirmed contingency plans in case of a Covid-19 outbreak at any of the six clubs involved in the end of season series.

The regular campaign was halted early after positive tests at Castleford Tigers and Hull KR and the competition is anxious to avoid chaos if cases are reported at the clubs still involved.

The play-offs begin this week with Warrington Wolves hosting Hull on Thursday, 24 hours before Leeds’ clash with Catalans Dragons, also at HJ Stadium.

Reserve dates have been agreed with broadcaster Sky, but for a postponement to be granted a club would need to prove that a minimum of seven players are unavailable as a result of Covid-19 - because of either a positive test, or test and trace or the club being required to shutdown by the multiple case group.

The club would also have to prove how the situation would have changed by the time of the reserve date.

Huddersfield Giants, who finished seventh on the table, are on stand-by to replace a club who are unable to play on the original or reserve dates.

If two clubs are unable to play, Huddersfield will replace one of them and the other elimination play-off will be a walkover.

Reserve dates have also been agreed for the semi-finals on November 19 and 20, when league leaders Wigan Warriors and second-placed St Helens join the competition.

If a club are unable to play either on the scheduled date or any of the reserve dates, they will be replaced by the highest-ranked loser from the elimination play-offs, based on the league table.

If two clubs are unable to play, both elimination play-off losers will be reinstated.

There is no reserve date for the Grand Final, at Hull’s KCOM Stadium on Friday, November 27.

If one of the Grand Finalists drops out, their place will be taken by the highest-ranked beaten semi-finalists.

If both semi-finalists or one of the semi-final winners and the highest-ranked semi-final losers are unable to play, the lowest-ranked semi-final losers would step up.

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