Watson: ‘Second lockdown’ shows how careful RL has to be

Ian Watson has stressed how the ‘second lockdown’ his Salford side experienced shows just how careful rugby league has to be in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Red Devils were forced to self-isolate following their restart game against Hull FC two weeks ago, after 12 members of the Black and Whites’ playing and backroom staff tested positive for coronavirus.

It was a blow to both sides, who had just returned from the League’s five-month suspension, and Watson says it serves as a warning as to how cautious all 11 Super League clubs have to be.

He said: “It was really frustrating because it took us back to the original lockdown where we weren’t allowed out of the house, we had to do stuff in our own back garden and basically we were cooped up again.

“So hopefully we don’t have to go back to that. It’ll probably put more emphasis on us being ultra-safe.

“Our boys have been really good anyway with it but this just relays the importance of making sure that we stay safe all the time because of the responsibilities we have to other people who we’re playing against as well.”

What’s commendable about the situation regarding the two clubs is how they handled themselves during self-isolation.

Training was called to a halt instantly, while several extra Covid-19 tests were carried out to ease any worries, something which Watson was pleased to see.

“The club reacted really well,” he continued. “(Director) Paul King and (CEO) Ian Blease spoke to me straight away on the night we found out.

“They said, ‘Look, this isn’t going to be about money or rugby or anything else. It’s going to be about the players’ welfare and making sure that whatever they need to make sure they’re comfortable at is the top interest’.

“We’ve had about six tests in two weeks and the club has fronted up for five of them which is great. The majority of the players, especially those who are high risk, wanted to go and get their own tests on the Wednesday which they did. They all came back negative as well.

“The club made it about the players, about the guys and their families rather than worrying about anything else at that time.”