Catalans v Hull FC cancelled after seven positive Dragons tests

Thursday’s fixture between Catalans and Hull FC in Perpignan has been cancelled, Super League have confirmed.

The decision comes after five Dragons players and two members of backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19 during this week’s routine testing.

On that basis, the club will now enter Stage 2 of the Multiple Cases Framework agreed between the RFL and Public Health England, involving a shutdown of up to five days to allow further antigen testing.

The club will undergo a further round of testing in the coming days to determine whether they can return to training in time to play their next scheduled fixture against Warrington on October 26.

The cancellation means Catalans now have three outstanding fixtures, after their home games against Leeds and Wigan were also postponed.

Wigan, who were placed into Stage 2 of the Multiple Cases Framework last week after seven positive cases in two rounds of testing, confirmed earlier today that they have returned to training after returning only negatives in consecutive rounds of testing.

The situation of Wakefield, who confirmed earlier today that they have returned four positive tests this week, was also considered by the Multiple Cases Group but it was determined that they have been placed into Stage 1 of the Multiple Cases Framework, which includes a review of processes but still allows them to train and play.

There are eight fixtures scheduled over the next five days, as follows:

Thursday October 22: Castleford Tigers v Hull KR (5:30pm), Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Trinity (7:45pm)

Friday October 23: Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils (5:30pm), St Helens v Leeds Rhinos (7:45pm)

(all above games at Totally Wicked Stadium and live on Sky Sports)

Sunday October 25: Wakefield Trinity v Hull KR (2:00pm, Mobile Rocket Stadium, live on Our League)

Monday October 26: Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves (6:15pm, Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan, live on Our League); Salford Red Devils v St Helens (5:30pm), Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos (7:45pm) – both at Emerald Headingley, live on Sky Sports.