Transport problem for Leeds Rhinos fans created by Rugby Union

The likes of Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors still have to make the trip to France to take on League Leaders Catalans Dragons who are notoriously difficult to beat away from home.

These games, among others, should be seismic fixtures and earlier this year it certainly seemed like Leeds fans would have an easy route to the game with Leeds Bradford Airport starting flights to Perpignan for cheap with Ryan Air.

And a flight this week would only cost £110 but because of the Rugby Union World Cup costs around this period have sky rocketed.

In a quick a search around Leeds’ trip in September the cheapest flight was £383 but the highest was around £600.

Fortunately, Sky Sports are to provide live and exclusive coverage of two more Catalans Dragons home games from Perpignan in August and September, with the French club aiming to finish top of the Betfred Super League table for the second time in three seasons.

Both matches are potential blockbusters, kicking off with the Round 23 visit of Wigan Warriors to Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday August 26 is always a highlight of the Catalans’ season, and likely to be even more significant this season with the Dragons currently top of the table, and Wigan in and amongst it.

Then three weeks later in Round 26, there will be another Saturday evening showdown for Sky Sports viewers to enjoy, as Leeds Rhinos head for Perpignan with Rohan Smith’s team hoping for a repeat of last season’s late charge to the Play-Offs, and eventually to the Grand Final.

The kick-off of that match has been brought forward by an hour, to 5pm UK time (6pm in France) while the Wigan match will kick off as scheduled, at 6pm UK time (7pm France).

Sky Sports have already shown two Catalans home games this season, against Warrington Wolves on Easter Monday and St Helens in May, and have confirmed coverage of the return match against Saints at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday 13 July.

So for fans who can’t afford plane tickets because of this sudden increase in price, they can watch the games on TV.