Covid outbreaks see Super League’s Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants close training facilities

Challenge Cup holders Leeds announced in the morning that their facility at Kirkstall had shut for a minimum of five days after six players and one member of staff tested positive for the virus.

Super League rivals Huddersfield reported soon afterwards that they had done likewise “following a number of positive Covid-19 tests over the last few days.”

The Yorkshire Post contacted the county’s four other top-flight clubs but none are expecting to need to follow suit.

Hull FC say they have seen just one player test positive since Christmas but he is now back in pre-season training as they continue preparations ahead of the campaign start on March 25.

Wakefield Trinity, Hull KR and Castleford Tigers all declared a clean bill of health.

However, given the country is in a national lockdown and Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night said it was ‘too early to say when restrictions will be lifted’, it would be understandable if more clubs did encounter similar problems in the weeks ahead.

Clearly, it is better that happens now rather than once the season gets underway and all Super League clubs – exempt from the lockdown due to elite sport status – are continuing to keep as safe as possible.

Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis said: “We have followed the guidelines laid down precisely and quickly.

“That meant following this morning’s lateral flow testing a threshold was hit whereby we immediately closed our facility and will take a five day break again as per the guidelines.

“In that time the training centre will undergo a full deep clean and in order for a return to training to be sanctioned further testing will take place for all staff and players next week.”

Players who have tested positive are isolating at home for a minimum of 10 days as well as any individuals which have been identified as a contact trace as per the government guidelines.

Both clubs have liaised with the Rugby Football League and Leeds say they chose to close off training to act as a ‘fire break’.

It says their cases have been linked by contact tracing but the decision has been taken as a precaution to try and halt the spread within the group.

Rhinos director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: “Firstly, I would like to thank our players and staff for how they have adhered to the guidelines and rules in place since we returned to training.

“We are in a privileged position as an elite sport that we can continue to train.

“With that privilege comes a great deal of responsibility.

“Whilst this may be a short disruption to our pre-season plans, it is important that we look after the well-being of our people, their families and the local community.

“We’ve increased our bio-security from last season and everyone is vigilant about ensuring we lessen the probabilities of spreading the virus. Because of our increased testing since New Year, it has become evident that, despite all our precautions, the virus has continued to spread within the group.

“We hope this short period will act as a fire break and enable us to move forward next week.”

This week, Rhinos say they have brought in additional precautions including all players and staff undertaking a Lateral flow test every day before coming into the training ground.

On shutting down, head coach Richard Agar said: “It is a bit deflating but it is what it is. The positive is we have still got a good eight weeks. We had scheduled a week off and we can cancel that.

“I don’t think we are going to be alone in this. We have absolutely upped the ante with protocols.”

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