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Super League season to resume on August 2

Super League season resumes with three fixtures live on Sky Sports on Sunday, August 2. Grand Final is planned for last weekend in November.

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Robert Elstone speaks to Sky Sports News about the plans for Super League's season restart and the 2021 season kick-off.

It has been more than three months since we last saw a game of Super League, but today we start the countdown to its return.

Super League has announced the top-flight competition will be back on Sunday, August 2, with the aim being for the Grand Final be played on the last weekend in November - hopefully at Old Trafford.

It returns with a bang - a triple-header, live on Sky Sports.

 Lachlan Coote of St Helens lifts the trophy as he celebrates his team's victory after the Betfred Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Salford Red Devils at Old Trafford on October 12, 2019 in Manchester, England
Image: Defending champions St Helens feature on the first weekend

St Helens will take on the Catalans Dragons, the round-four match that was postponed in February due to the World Club Challenge, which saw reigning champions Saints in action against NRL premiers Sydney Roosters.

Hull Kingston Rovers go up against Toronto Wolfpack, after their match was postponed due to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup, and Huddersfield Giants will play Leeds Rhinos to make up for their game postponed due to Storm Ciara back in February. All matches will be played behind closed doors at a single venue.

Round 8 will take place the following weekend of August 8 and 9.

"It's great news that we're able to confirm Super League is restarting," Super League executive chairman Robert Elstone told Sky Sports News.

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We've been working hard on this for a number of weeks, we've had a really long board meeting where we got support for a calendar.
Robert Elstone

"We've been working hard on this for a number of weeks, we've had a really long board meeting where we got support for a calendar.

"The Grand Final is looking like it will happen towards the end of November and we need to talk to Old Trafford in particular, and a number of partners about delivering that.

"But it's really positive news and fans can be excited about seeing Super League back on Sky in just five or six weeks' time."

Club officials met with Super League executives on Friday to finalise the fixture list and decide when the 2020 season would conclude.

Four unnamed Wolfpack players have self-isolated after experiencing "mild possible symptoms of COVID-19"
Image: Toronto are among the teams kicking off Super League's return

November 28 was preferred over December 5, as it accommodates player contracts, ensures player availability and minimises the impact on the 2021 season.

What was meant to be a season with 29 rounds will be reduced to 22. With seven already played, we can look forward to 15 more regular-season rounds, with each team to play each other once.

The play-off semi-finals are planned to take place on November 19 and 20, with the Grand Final provisionally scheduled to be played the following weekend.

Meanwhile, Super League also confirmed the 2021 season is planned to kick off later than the traditional date of the first weekend in February.

Rugby League World Cup trophy
Image: The Rugby League World Cup takes place in England next year

"One of the things we are very minded of is the fact 2021 is an important year in rugby league with the World Cup taking place," Elstone said.

"We recognised we were finishing two months later than scheduled, so there will be allowance for that.

"Clubs will play one less home game, so there will be one fewer round, but that's all about supporting England and its desire and challenge to win what will be a great event."

Super League restart fixtures

Sunday, August 2: Hull Kingston Rovers vs Toronto Wolfpack (1pm), St Helens vs Catalans Dragons (4.15pm), Huddersfield Giants vs Leeds Rhinos (6.30pm)

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