The Last Rites for Easter

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It's been a tough time for Super League players. They have played three matches in the course of a week or so, including big derby matches. Our sport is one of the most physically demanding on the planet and proper rest is needed to recuperate after an 80 minute battle. The current Easter schedule does not allow that to happen.

Whether by coincidence or not, we have seen several players suffer lengthy (including season-ending injuries) over the Easter period. As we see during every Easter period, and we haven't had a 'full' one since 2019, the calls to reduce the load and for each team to play once over the weekend grow louder. Ryan Hall's recent tweet was probably the most high profile comment of this year.

As a fan of the sport, I love the busy Easter weekend. Although I anticipate that it is far easier to feel that way when you have two full rounds of action to enjoy from the terraces or in front of your TV. There is some criticism that the Easter Monday matches lack intensity as a result. Whether that is true or not, I am not sure. This year's 'second' Easter matches were largely close and gripping affairs.

Another common remark you may hear is that it is the third game over Easter where the real problem is. St Helens Head Coach Kristian Woolf accused the game's authorities of failing to protect the players in the build up to his side's clash against Castleford on Friday night. He took action into his own hands by playing a reserve grade side (although that side competed gamely).

In 2022, there will be another double header weekend over the August Bank Holiday. The reason for this is the need to finish the domestic season by late-September, so that the decks are cleared for the end of season World Cup. With teams being asked to play three games in the last week or so of the season, the impact then may be seen as even more severe, especially as the race for relegation or play off spots may reach a pivotal moment.

For example, St Helens face Toulouse over the course of that double header. Kristian Woolf may, again, choose to play a reserve grade team for that fixture. And that may, depending on how the season goes, have a material impact on the league that Toulouse are a part of in 2023.

In amongst the disruption that we have faced since 2020, it is easy to forget that an Easter double header was not scheduled to take place that year. Instead, the one round of Super League fixtures was due to be spread over the course of the long Bank Holiday weekend, with the majority of matches televised. That appeases both the television viewer and players, balancing the needs of both.

Whilst I do love the busy Easter, you cannot preach about the need to ensure player welfare on the one hand (such as a clampdown on foul play) and place players at risk with a schedule that is too hectic at the same time. I expect that Easter 2022 may be the last of its type. Whilst it may be tough to say goodbye, perhaps it is for the best.

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