Super League "request" unusual kick-off time as fixtures revealed

Picture by Isabel Pearce/SWpix.com - 16/08/2020 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos - The Totally Wicked Stadium, Langtree Park, St Helens, England - Ash Handley of Leeds is tackled by Zak Hardaker and Dom Manfredi of Wigan.

THE NEXT three rounds of Betfred Super League fixtures have been confirmed with games largely returning to Thursdays and Fridays next month.

Leeds Rhinos’ Emerald Headingley and St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium have already staged full weekends of games since the sport resumed in early August.

They will host games again next month with fixtures for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 now revealed but they are moved to Thursdays and Fridays mainly for broadcast reasons.

Headingley will welcome sides for Round 11 with Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers (2.30pm), Hull KR v Wigan Warriors (6pm) and Wakefield Trinity v Leeds (8.15pm) on Thursday September 3.

Clearly, the kick-off time for Salford versus Castleford is unusual.

However, a Super League statement said the competition “requested” the time in order for the game to be televised.

It added: “Super League thanks Sky Sports for their co-operation. That match will also be replayed ‘as live’ on Sky Sports at 10.30pm on the evening of September 3.”

Catalans Dragons, who have been on their travels ever since the restart, finally return home to Stade Gilbert Brutus when they entertain Rhinos in a catch-up match from Round 7 on Monday September 7.

The French side also host Wigan Warriors on Saturday September 12 as the final contest of Round 12 (both 5pm kick-off UK time)

That round begins with a double-header that sees Hull FC face Wakefield (6pm) and Castleford against Warrington Wolves at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday September 10.

The following night, Saints kick off the action at their home ground when they play Hull KR (6pm) before Leeds Rhinos versus Huddersfield Giants (8.15pm).

Round 10 fixtures at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium have also been firmed up with Wigan v Catalans (4.15pm) and Leeds v Salford (6.30pm) on Saturday August 29 before Hull KR v St Helens (1pm), Huddersfield v Hull FC (4.15pm) and Warrington v Wakefield (6.30pm) the following day.

All games will be broadcast live by Sky Sports.

ROUND 10

Saturday 29 August (Halliwell Jones Stadium)

16:15 Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons

18:30 Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils

Sunday 30 August (Halliwell Jones Stadium)

13:00 Hull KR v St Helens

16:15 Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC

18:30 Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity

ROUND 11

Thursday 3 September (Emerald Headingley)

14:30 Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers

18:00 Hull KR v Wigan Warriors

20:15 Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos

Friday 4 September (Emerald Headingley)

18:00 Huddersfield Giants v St Helens

20:15 Warrington Wolves v Hull FC

Monday 7 September (Stade Gilbert Brutus)*

18:15(uk) Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos

ROUND 12

Thursday 10 September (Totally Wicked Stadium)

18:00 Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity

20:15 Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves

Friday 11 September (Totally Wicked Stadium)

18:00 St Helens v Hull KR

20:15 Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants

Saturday 12 September (Stade Gilbert Brutus)

17:00(uk) Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors

*a catch-up game from Round 7