Yorkshire derbies the highlight of Super League’s opening weekend

Understandably, organisers like to create as much anticipation and excitement as possible although there is very little need to do so in this instance given it will have been just a day short of four months with no action when the competition does eventually kick-off on Friday, March 26.

There has never been a longer off-season in Super League history; with the country still currently in another national lockdown and Covid-19 still dominating the news, fans will be ready to lap up anything and everything.

With that in mind, although there will still be no crowds attending, they will not be disappointed given three consecutive days of action are planned at Emerald Headingley for them to feast upon.

Leeds Rhinos’ ground will host all of the opening round with Super League opting for three double-headers.

Champions St Helens face last year’s Challenge Cup finalists Salford Red Devils on Friday March 26 (6pm) meaning Salford’s new head coach Richard Marshall immediately faces the club who employed him as their assistant for the previous two seasons.

Then, beaten Grand Finalists Wigan Warriors – with England star John Bateman back in their ranks after two years in the NRL – take on local rivals and newly-promoted Leigh Centurions (8.15pm).

The following day, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds (3pm) lock horns in a West Yorkshire derby before Tony Smith’s new-look Hull KR – with former Rhinos winger Ryan Hall returning to familiar territory after joining from Sydney Roosters – facing Catalans Dragons (5.15pm).

On the Sunday, though, is where the real intrigue comes to the fore,

Huddersfield Giants face Hull FC (12.30pm) with both clubs under new command.

Ian Watson, of course, was approached by Hull about the head coach vacancy there last autumn but nothing materilaised.

The highly-rated Great Britain assistant eventually left Salford to take over at Huddersfield.

The Black and Whites appointed Brett Hodgson, the former New South Wales State of Origin full-back who proved such an influence as a player at Huddersfield, wining the Man of Steel there back in 2009. There is so much expectancy at both clubs ahead of the new campaign.

Clearly, then, this fixture will draw plenty of attention particularly given, as part of Watson’s major rebuild at John Smith’s Stadium, Giants have also bought Josh Jones from Hull following the Lions second-row’s difficult campaign in East Yorkshire.

After joining from Salford, he missed much of the campaign after contracting Covid in August and suffering badly thereafter.

Jones was just one year into a two-year deal with FC but struggled to settle and Huddersfield paid a fee so he could once more link with his former Salford coach. It could make for an interesting debut.

Finally, Castleford Tigers, who are looking to make their own mark in 2021, round off the first weekend versus Warrington Wolves (2.45pm).

All games will be televised live on Sky Sports and the other major development yesterday was regarding Magic Weekend.

There had been talk of scrapping the event in 2021, just as it was last year due to the pandemic. It does remain but, due to on-going Covid crowd restrictions, the proposed date for the showpiece at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park has been moved from May to September 4-5⅘.

Finding a suitable fixtures solution generally has not been an easy process for Super League, who are also dealing with the fall-out of executive chairman Robert Elstone’s resignation on Tuesday.

Chief commercial officer Rhodri Jones praised all parties for their “tireless” work and said: “Whilst it is frustrating for all involved to not be welcoming fans back into our stadiums for the start of the season, we are hopeful that as the situation in the country continues to improve and the vaccine rollout nears completion, we will be seeing fans enjoying live sport again soon.”

The full fixtures list will be announced on Friday February 26.

Round 1 fixtures at Emerald Headingley, Friday March 26: St Helens v Salford Red Devils (6pm), Leigh Centurions v Wigan Warriors (8.15pm). Saturday March 27: Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos (3pm), Catalans Dragons v Hull KR (5.15pm). Sunday March 28: Hull FC v Huddersfield Giants 12.30pm, Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves 2.45pm.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.