Leeds Rhinos have decided to call off their game in France after a team member started showing symptoms of coronavirus.
The game against Catalans Dragons has been cancelled after the club opted not to travel to France this morning on medical grounds.
The clubs says the player is being managed in line with the current Department of Health guidance and subsequent steps for the rest of the squad, if necessary, will be advised by the Rhinos medical team in conjunction with the NHS.
It was decided by the RFL Board on Tuesday that the game should go ahead behind closed doors after the French authorities banned gatherings of over 1,000 spectators.
However, following the latest development, the club felt it was it was decided that the team should not travel to Spain and France this weekend.
The team was due to fly to Barcelona on this morning, March 13, before travelling north to Perpignan ahead of Saturday’s game and then returning to UK via Barcelona on Sunday afternoon.
Leeds Rhinos Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield said: “We are disappointed to be in a position whereby we have had to make this decision but the health and well being of everyone is our paramount concern particularly with us having to fly to fulfil the fixture.
"We were travelling on a scheduled flight to Barcelona and with one of our players self-isolating, we felt it was the responsible thing to do both for our players and staff and members of the public who we would share the flight with.
"I would like to thank Catalans Dragons for their understanding.”
A statement by the RFL reads: "We have been advised by Leeds Rhinos that they will not be travelling to France to fulfil their scheduled fixture against Catalans Dragons.
The consequences of this decision on the match, and any sanction, will be determined by the RFL Board."
