Rugby league: forthcoming Rochdale Hornets v Workington Town clash postponed after Hornets players and staff contract Covid

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This weekend’s home clash between Rochdale Hornets and Workington Town has been postponed after a number of Hornets players and staff have contracted Covid-19.

A total of 11 players and three staff have all tested positive for Covid-19 at different times over the course of the last 10 days. Initially, three players tested positive, and one was ruled out as a close contact ahead of the West Wales game on 10 July. 

A further seven players this week have reported symptoms and tested positive.

Due to the 10-day isolation period and the seven-day return to play protocols, Hornets are unable to field a team for the next home fixture. Under RFL regulations, the club meets the requirements to request that the Workington Town game be postponed.

Chief Executive Steve Kerr said: “We take our commitment to player and staff welfare very seriously and have reported all our cases to the RFL and local PHE.

“All of our staff and players are doing OK and will be monitored by our excellent medical team as we support them in their recovery. Clearly, this is a difficult situation, society is opening back up and Covid-19 infection rates are on the rise.

“Our robust protocols and processes are however working, we haven’t had a single lateral flow positive test when players arrive for training, and all the positive tests are a result of community transmission.

“As a precautionary measure, we made the decision to shut down training environment until 22 July when some players will restart their return to play programmes.”

The club hopes to re-arrange the fixture before the end of the season. 

Fans who have booked tickets will be able to carry their booking forward to the re-arranged game or request a refund via tickets@hornetsrugbyleague.com.