Super League to return on August 2

The Super League season will return with three fixtures on August 2, the league has announced.

The restart will see Hull KR face Toronto Wolfpack, St Helens take on Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield go up against Leeds at a single behind-closed-doors venue.

On the following weekend (August 8-9), all clubs will be back in action in a full round of fixtures.

It was decided at a Super League Board meeting that the revised season will have 15 rounds of matches followed by a top-four semi-final play-off, with the winners contesting the Grand Final towards the end of November.

It was also agreed that the 2021 season will kick off at a later date than the traditional opening weekend of February.

A Super League statement added: “At the moment, and until government directives change, Betfred Super League fixtures will take place behind closed doors at a small number of neutral venues that meet the stringent guidance from both government and the game’s clinical advisory group.

“Super League is also closely monitoring government directives in both France and Canada.”

The season has been paused since March 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Executive chairman Robert Elstone said the league was in the final stages of determining where the games will be played, with further details to be confirmed over the coming weeks.

He added: “Above all we know that fans want to get back into grounds to support their teams. We will continue to follow government advice and work alongside the RFL, clinical advisors and ground safety personnel to ensure that when that time comes, Super League is ready to welcome back its fans at the first opportunity.

“Whilst the recent government announcements underline increasing optimism, the pandemic remains unpredictable. Our final fixture schedule needs to respond to opportunities that will unfold over the coming weeks and accordingly, full details of fixtures, venues and season structure will be confirmed as they become known.”