Super League's crunch meeting: playing behind closed doors 'an option'

Wigan's game against Salford went ahead as normal on Friday night

Castleford’s game with St Helens yesterday went ahead as more sports postponed their fixtures.

Rugby union’s Premiership and netball’s Super League were the latest to fall in line with football, which decided last Friday to break until at least early April because of the coronavirus, and other major sports.

The government is this week expected to announce restrictions on large gatherings.

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer says playing with no fans at the venues will be discussed by club bosses when they meet in Huddersfield today.

"We have submitted the options and that is one of them," he said. "We have to be realistic about the position we are in.

"Nevertheless this sport has shown itself to be resilient over the last 125 years and hopefully over the next couple of days we find some ways forward.

"In any modelling going forward we have to consider player welfare issues, competition integrity and keeping clubs solvent. All of those go into the equation and we'll see what we come out with."

Wigan are due to host Catalans this Sunday but coach Adrian Lam admits there is continuing uncertainty.

“Who knows what’s going to happen... we’re getting information being fed to us, day to day,” he said.

“And we’ll work hard to keep everyone healthy here.”

Dragons captain Remi Casty has removed himself from training and says if the game goes ahead, he will not be travelling to the UK.

Morgan Smithies says the coronavirus crisis did not prove a distraction as he prepared for Friday’s Super League match at Salford, which they lost 18-14.

He said: “I had it in my head we were playing, you’ve got to keep switched on unless you hear otherwise.

“It’s easy for us, we just had in our head we were playing, nothing changed.”

Players were advised not to make physical contact with fans – such as for selfies and autographs – and have been advised to report any symptoms immediately to their clubs.

Toronto Wolfpack have suspended training and stood down their entire UK-based squad after four players experienced symptoms of coronavirus.

The players have gone into self-isolation and Toronto's action means whatever the outcome of the meeting, it's almost certain their fixture against Wakefield this weekend will be postponed.

Today’s draw for the Sixth Round of the Coral Challenge Cup will now be held at MediaCity in Salford (6pm). It had originally been scheduled to take place in New York but has been switched because of the coronavirus. Wigan are among the clubs entering at this stage.