The 2023 Super League season started off without champions St Helens playing in round one on account of their World Club Challenge game down under against Penrith Panthers.
As a result of this their round one clash with Huddersfield Giants had been postponed with a date to be pencilled in for the future.
Given the packed rugby league calendar there’s rarely chance for teams to add a fixture in, with the international break one of the few weeks of the year Super League sides have off.
That fell at the end of April but with representatives of St Helens in the English squad it wasn’t acted upon, which has left the postponed fixture lingering over the season.
The next key opportunity would be when both sides were knocked out of the Challenge Cup and whilst Huddersfield fell at the first hurdle, in a 42-40 thriller against Salford Red Devils, the Saints marched on all the way to the semi-final this past weekend.
Now that Paul Wellens’ men have been defeated there is now a break in the schedule for St Helens and therefore the game has been re-arranged with the announcement coming today.
Huddersfield have confirmed that the fixture will now take place on Challenge Cup Final weekend, but on the Sunday after the big game at Wembley.
They announced the news via their website with fans now close to being able to purchase tickets.
“Our Betfred Super League Round 1 Clash vs St Helens has been rescheduled for Sunday 13th August, 5pm.
“The game was originally scheduled for the opening round of the 2023 Betfred Super League, but was postponed due to St Helens involvement in the Club World Cup, in which they were victorious.
“We will face Saints a day after the finals weekend at Wembley, with our clash getting underway at 5:00pm, taking place at St Helens home the Totally Wicked Stadium.
“Tickets will be on sale shortly, with prices as follows below.”
The game may well be an afterthought on the weekend for many given that Leigh Leopards and Hull KR will face off on the Saturday, as well as St Helens women taking on Leeds Rhinos and Batley Bulldogs against Halifax Panthers in the 1895 Cup.
This is a key break in tradition with a league game being held on the heralded Challenge Cup final weekend.
