Rugby league’s players’ union calls for Easter double-headers to be dropped

This year’s traditional Easter double-header could be the last time fans get to experience one of the highlights of the Super League calendar amid a player-led push to improve welfare.

The Rugby League Players Association, which represents professional rugby league players in the UK, has held talks with the Rugby Football League to bring an end to periods such as Easter – during which many Super League players endure two games in 72 hours and three in as few as nine days – from as early as next season.

Garreth Carvell, the former Great Britain prop who heads the union, said removal of congested fixture periods such as this weekend’s is common sense when it comes to prioritising player welfare, adding that more or less every player he has consulted is of the belief double-header weekends must now be a thing of the past.

“We are happy to have this discussion on behalf of the players now,” Carvell told the Guardian. “We’ve spoke with the RFL and we’ll also speak with the clubs. It’s the clubs that hold the power but the RFL’s main strategy for 2022 was about player feedback, and acting on behalf of what the players want. With issues like this, we’ll see whether those words have meaning.”

The Guardian understands that while the RFL would be receptive to removing double-header weekends, there may be less warmth to the idea from clubs, who generate significant revenue over Easter in comparison with normal weekends, with the bank holiday bump in crowds providing a much-needed financial boost.

The RLPA wants to ensure that minimum periods of five days between all fixtures are introduced to guarantee players can recover adequately between games and reduce the risk of injury. Carvell said: “I’ve had the discussion with the players