Leeds prepare for difficult defence of title as Magic Weekend heads ‘home’

For the Rugby Football League have today confirmed that the much-celebrated Magic Weekend will return to the game’s traditional heartland and the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

After taking the weekend roadshow to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and Murrayfield in Scotland, league chiefs have opted to bring the event – which features a full round of Super League matches – closer to home on May 26-27.

“I’m delighted to confirm that Rugby League is returning to the Etihad Stadium next May for Magic Weekend and two days of sporting action of the highest order,” said RFL chief executive Nigel Wood.

It’s not the first time the Manchester stadium has hosted rugby league. Over 40,000 people saw Australia defeat Great Britain in the Tri-Nations tournament back in 2004.

“On the only previous occasion rugby league has been played at this iconic venue we were overwhelmed by the positive feedback from supporters who thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” said Wood.

“The Magic Weekend continues to grow in stature and popularity and I’m sure the move to the Etihad Stadium will take the event to the next level after the success of previous Magic Weekends in Cardiff and Edinburgh.”

The Magic Weekend schedule has yet to be finalised, but the RFL have published the 2012 fixtures, the new season kicking off on Friday, February 3 and climaxing with the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 6.

Steve Sayer, operations director for Manchester City FC, added: “We consider it a real honour to host the Magic Weekend and we’re delighted to welcome rugby league back to the Etihad Stadium.

 “At Manchester City we are treated to top quality football week-in, week-out and we are certain that this Super League showpiece will prove similarly enjoyable for the fans of all the participating clubs.”

Champions Leeds Rhinos must face fierce Yorkshire rivals Hull Kingston Rovers as they launch the defence of their Super League crown on Friday, February 3 at Headingley Carnegie.

Rhinos coach Brian McDermott said: “We are pleased to be opening up the new season at home, but we know it is going to be tough against a Hull KR side who beat us at their place last season.

“They will be out to impress their new head coach in that opening game and teams always want to have a shot at the champions so we know it will be tough.

“We then travel to Wigan the week afterwards which will be great preparation for the World Club Challenge a week later against Manly.

“We had three massive games against Wigan last year and once again they will be looking to produce a big performance with a new man in charge.

“There is a lot of hard work to do between now and then, however, and that will be our focus over the next few months.”

Also on opening night, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will head for league newcomers Widnes Vikings, with Sky TV choosing to televise the match live.

It is a tough start for two of the region’s new coaches, Hull KR’s Craig Sandercock and Richard Agar at Wakefield looking to impress in their first game in charge.

There are also away days for both Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers.

Nathan Brown takes his Giants on a daunting road trip to Carnegie Challenge Cup winners Wigan, who will still be licking their wounds after last season’s play-off disappointment.

Former Warriors and St Helens coach Ian Millward, meanwhile, celebrates his return to Super League duty, in charge of Castleford, when they travel to Salford City Reds’ newly-built City of Salford Stadium on Saturday, February 4 in front of the Sky cameras.

St Helens, beaten in the Grand Final by Leeds at Old Trafford 32-16, kick off their new season at the renamed London Broncos earlier in the day.

Warrington Wolves are the visitors for Hull FC, while Bradford Bulls will complete the opening weekend when they host Catalan Dragons at Odsal on Sunday, February 5.

Saints will have to wait until Sunday, March 24 for a chance to avenge their Grand Final defeat, with Leeds the visitors for a 5.45pm kick-off in front of the watching Sky audience.

Just for good measure, the fixture bosses have thrown up two mouthwatering finales.

Leeds must travel to the Galpharm Stadium to tackle the Giants, when points could be at a premium for these two title-hopefuls, while Castleford travel to the KC Stadium on the same day, Sunday, September 9, with both clubs aiming to figure in the end-of-season play-offs.

All 14 clubs take a break from Super League action over the weekend of April 14-15, when they enter the Carnegie Challenge Cup at the fourth round stage. The 2012 Carnegie Challenge Cup campaign culminates in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, August 25.

The Super League clubs also have a blank weekend on June 17 with an international fixture planned.

n Castleford yesterday tied down Oliver Holmes, one of their promising teenagers, to a new three-year contract.

The 19-year-old back-row, who has made 24 senior appearances, will remain at the Super League club until the end of the 2014 season. Holmes made five senior appearances in his debut season in 2010 and went on to make another 19 in 2011.

Castleford coach Ian Millward added: “I’ve been really impressed with him in the first few weeks and with his age he’s only going to grow both skills-wise and development-wise.”

Notable diary dates for 2012 season

Opening weekend - Friday: Widnes Vikings v Wakefield Trinity, Leeds Rhinos v Hull Kingston Rovers. Saturday: London Broncos v St Helens, Salford City Reds v Castleford Tigers. Sunday: Hull FC v Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls v Catalan Dragons.

Round Two – first match at Langtree Park Stadium where St Helens face Salford at their new £26m 18,000-capacity home.

Round Three – Wakefield are without a fixture because of Leeds Rhinos’ involvement in the World Club Challenge against NRL champions Manly Sea Eagles at Headingley on February 17.

March 24, 2012 – St Helens v Leeds Rhinos, the first meeting between the two sides since last season’s Grand Final, when the Yorkshire club triumphed 32-16 to be crowned Super League champions.

May 26-27 – Magic Weekend in Manchester.