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Rugby league: Matches at all three professional levels under threat from Covid-19

Championship match off between London Broncos and Widnes; Super League fixtures involving Challenge Cup finalists Castleford and St Helens are in doubt; Leigh vs Warrington on Thursday already called off

Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com - 12/06/2021 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Round 9 - Leigh Centurions v Catalans Dragons - Leigh Sports Village, Leigh , England - Catalans Dragons' Arthur Mourgue celebrates to scoring a try
Image: Catalans Dragons are enjoying a great season but have only been able to play five league and cup matches at their Perpignan base

Matches across all three tiers of professional rugby league this weekend are set to fall victim to the rise in Covid-19 infections.

Two fixtures in Betfred League 1 have already been postponed, while Sunday's Championship match between London Broncos and Widnes has been cancelled.

Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com - 17/07/2021 - Rugby League - Betfred Challenge Cup Final - Castleford Tigers v St Helens - Wembley Stadium, London, England - St Helens celebrate with the trophy.
Image: St Helens won the Challenge Cup last weekend but their fixture this week may be in doubt

There are also serious doubts over the Super League fixtures featuring last Saturday's Challenge Cup finalists, with Castleford and St Helens both thought to have reported positive tests.

St Helens, who were victorious at Wembley, are due to host Hull KR on Friday, while Castleford are scheduled to play Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday.

A decision is expected on Wednesday morning and, if both fixtures are postponed, efforts will be made to rearrange Hull KR's trip to Perpignan, which was originally due to be played on July 5, in order to ensure the Catalans do not lose another home game.

The Dragons, top of the table and on a club-record nine-match winning run, are now permitted crowds but have played all-but five of their 15 league and cup fixtures so far this season in England.

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Thursday's round 15 fixture between Leigh and Warrington was called off on Monday, after the Wolves reported another positive test, on top of the ones that caused the postponement of their previous game against Hull KR.

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