RFL defend Super League fixture changes

The RFL has responded to criticism following the movement of several games for television coverage and the announcement of Thursday night rugby league for the rest of the season and the play-offs.

With the football season on the horizon, one of the Sky Sports televised games each weekend will switch from Monday to Thursday, starting with Leeds’ trip to London on August 1.

Warrington will host Widnes on August 15, and Leeds will play Wigan in front of the Sky cameras on September 5.

It was also revealed during the Sky coverage of St Helens v Wigan last night that play-off games will also be televised on Thursdays.

The news prompted much criticism via social media, and the governing body has responded in a series of tweets from @TheRFL Twitter account

They said: “To those who have asked about fixture re-scheduling, ALL games are subject to change if selected by Sky Sports for live broadcasting.

“This is in contract T&Cs that SL clubs agree to. Sky commit to a minimum of 30 days notice of changes in Rounds 15-21 and 18 days Rounds 22-24.

“In Rounds 25 or 26 teams are given 11 days notice while for Round 27, teams will be informed by midnight of the closing day of Round 26

“All clubs are informed of potential changes to the schedule in advance and have to accept those before any change can be confirmed.

“Clubs are consulted about specific rescheduled matches on issues such as ground availability and major disruption to supporters.

“While we appreciate rescheduling can be frustrating, the RFL, Sky and the clubs work together to minimise disruption as much as possible.”