Leeds Rhinos fixture moved times due to ‘safety precaution’ in Super League first

When the Super League fixture list was announced ahead of the 2022 season, there is always some give or take with potential movement of dates.

With dates usually moved around for television purposes such as Sky Sports and Channel 4, people have come accustomed to changing fixtures.

However, it is unusual that a fixture is moved due to a ‘safety precaution’ due to a heatwave.

Well, that’s exactly what the Leeds Rhinos will have to go through on Saturday as they take on Toulouse Olympique in the south of France, with the West Yorkshire club tweeting: “Leeds Rhinos fixture at Toulouse Olympique this Saturday, 16th July, will now kick off at 8pm local time, 7pm in the UK, as a safety pre-caution due to the current heat wave in France and the high temperatures forecast for the original kick off time.”

Leeds Rhinos fixture at Toulouse Olympique this Saturday, 16th July, will now kick off at 8pm local time, 7pm in the UK, as a safety pre-caution due to the current heat wave in France and the high temperatures forecast for the original kick off time pic.twitter.com/FOybjBZApW

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) July 11, 2022

It is a Super League first with the time having to be moved for a heat safety reason, but as long as players are protected that is all that matters.

The fixture had originally been planned to take place at 5pm GMT at the Stade Ernest Wallon.