Hull coach Brett Hodgson to miss Leigh clash due to self-isolation
Hull coach Brett Hodgson will miss his club’s Super League game against Leigh on Sunday in one of several Covid-related absences to hit the club.
Hodgson, who is in his first season with the club, will continue to advise on all team matters remotely and assistant coaches Kieron Purtill and Gareth Ellis will take charge of the team on Sunday.
Hull say the intention is for the game to go ahead despite three players separately testing positive for Covid-19 via external transmissions and being required to isolate before completing the Rugby Football League’s return-to-play protocols.
In addition, four players are also required to self-isolate following separate external track and tracing via positive cases within family or friends away from the club.
In a statement, the club said: “With several players also unavailable due to long-term injuries, the club will have limited player availability for the match against Leigh Centurions but remain committed to fulfilling the fixture.
“The club continues to do its very best to maintain the integrity of the Super League fixture list, as demonstrated by the fantastic win over Huddersfield Giants last time out in which the club only had 15 senior players available and two academy debutants.
“Last season, Hull FC also fulfilled a fixture at less than 24 hours notice against Leeds Rhinos following the withdrawal of another club.
“Until now, Hull FC were one of the few clubs yet to record any positive cases this season and it takes its approach to Covid-19 protocols extremely seriously.
“Unfortunately, the rapid rise in coronavirus cases in the region has now affected the club, with these isolations the result of external transmission.”
Meanwhile, Leigh have signed prop Rob Butler on a two-week loan from Warrington.
The 23-year-old joined the Wolves ahead of this season from London Broncos and has made four appearances so far this season.