Millennium Magic weekend lives up to billing
It is billed as the “Millennium Magic weekend” and the opening round of fixtures for the Engage Super League XVI season looks to be capable of living up to the advertising campaign.
As openings go it does not get much grander than a repeat of the Grand Final, in which Wigan Warriors won their first Engage Super League Grand Final since 1998 when they beat St Helens 22-10. The teams will kick-off the new season when they meet in Cardiff for the 2011 Millennium Magic weekend on February 12th and 13th.
The first round of fixtures has thrown up a few other matches that will bring local rivalries to the fore with Hull FC playing Hull Kingston Rovers, Castleford Tigers up against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Leeds Rhinos taking on Bradford Bulls.
There is also a repeat of the 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup final as Huddersfield Giants take on Warrington Wolves.
The RFL chief executive Nigel Wood, speaking on the official Super League website said: “This opening round of fixtures represents an outstanding way of kicking off the 2011 season in style. The overwhelming majority of fans told us that they wanted to see local rivalry matches and I’m sure thousands of loyal Rugby League supporters will be excited by the prospect of watching seven superb encounters in Cardiff at the start of next season.
“All of the clubs will have the chance to lay down a marker for the season ahead, particularly St Helens who will be desperate to put one over Wigan after their defeat to the Warriors at Old Trafford in October, but there will also be a lot of local pride at stake with a number of the other clashes.”
With the Millennium Magic weekend returning to Cardiff for the first time since 2008, Millennium Stadium’s manager, Gerry Toms, is looking forward to welcoming Rugby League back to the national stadium. “We are delighted that Rugby League is returning to the Millennium Stadium for what we are certain will be a fantastic weekend of top-class action,” Toms said.
Saturday February 12th: Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves (1.00pm); Catalans Dragons v Harlequins RL (3.00pm); Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (5.00pm); Wigan Warriors v St Helens (7pm).
Sunday February 13th: Salford City Reds v Crusaders (12pm); Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls (2.00pm); Hull FC v Hull KR (4pm).
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