Coronavirus: Leeds Rhinos abandon trip to face Catalans Dragons after player goes into self-isolation

Leeds Rhinos have announced one of their players has gone into self-isolation with possible coronavirus symptoms, prompting the club to pull out of Saturday's Super League match against Catalans Dragons.

The fixture was due to be played behind closed doors at Catalans' Stade Gilbert Brutus, and Leeds were set to travel on Friday via Barcelona.

The West Yorkshire club have not identified the player concerned, and said it was the "responsible thing to do" to abandon the trip.

A statement from the Rhinos read: "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, both clubs have remained in regular dialogue since then and, following the latest development, it was decided that the team should not travel to Spain and France this weekend.

"The team were due to fly to Barcelona on Friday morning before travelling north to Perpignan ahead of Saturday’s game and then returning to UK via Barcelona on Sunday afternoon."

A member of the Leeds Rhinos squad has self-isolated after showing symptoms of possible coronavirus leading to the decision not to fly out this morning for Saturday's @superleague game at Perpignan. Visit here for more information https://t.co/FeF7ZBtSQX pic.twitter.com/94ZiBjL9aF

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) March 13, 2020

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 wellbeing 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."