Exclusive: Super League’s Channel 4 game awaiting ‘guidance’ following passing of Queen Elizabeth II

Last night, the country and the world was rocked when it was announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had sadly passed away.

The Queen, staying at her residence in Balmoral, had just overseen the passing of the Prime Ministerial baton from Boris Johnson to Liz Truss before an emergency family meeting was called in order for those closest to her to hastily travel to Balmoral.

She sadly passed away yesterday afternoon.

Back in 1997 when Diana, Princess of Wales, died in the early hours of the morning on August 31 the sporting world stopped still that is for one sport and one game – rugby league.

London Broncos played the Bradford Bulls at the iconic Twickenham Stoop with thousands of Bradford fans already on their way down to the capital, with then London owner – none other than Richard Branson – getting the go ahead for the game.

Branson, a director at the Broncos and close friend of Princess Diana, contracted Britain’s Labour Home Secretary at the time, Jack Straw, and got permission for the match to go ahead.

The main reason was because thousands of fans were already travelling down south for the occasion.

Though no rugby league game took place yesterday, there is one vitally important tonight and another equally as crucial tomorrow as Leeds Rhinos travel to the Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants host the Salford Red Devils.

After contacting the RFL about potential postponements, an RFL spokesman said that they were ‘still awaiting guidance from the authorities’ with a timeframe on that not yet been revealed, though there is a meeting today.

It would be interesting to see if the passing had any effect on the games with the Super League play-offs set for their baptism of fire, but rugby league fans are advised to watch that space ahead of any potential changes to times and dates.