Wakefield Trinity planning to hold just one pre-season friendly

The top-flight campaign is due to begin on March 25 and clubs at levels have been advised that they will be allowed a maximum of two friendly outings before the season gets underway.

Head coach Chris Chester feels one friendly will be more than enough for his Wakefield side, who have been in pre-season training since December.

“We are just having the one,” said Chester of the club’s plans for friendly matches.

“I think we have learnt from past years. There has been times we have had four friendlies in a pre-season and it is just way too much for us.

“We are happy with the one friendly. It has not been confirmed but it will be just the one friendly.

“We might have something behind closed doors against another Super League or Championship club but as it stands at the moment we are just going to have the one.”

Wakefield began pre-season the week before Christmas while new signing Mason Lino arrived at the club and began training last month.

They have also signed Eddie Battye ahead of the new campaign, after the forward enjoyed a successful loan spell with Trinity in the second half of 2020.

“Things are ticking away nicely,” Chester added of pre-season preparations.

“The lads are working hard, they have come back in really good shape.

“All the strength and conditioning staff are really pleased with the testing that has been done and we are in a really good spot at the minute.”