St Helens coach Nathan Brown has hit back at the RFL’s scheduling, after his side’s Challenge Cup tie with Leeds was confirmed to be played just five days on from the hectic Easter period.
The Saints have clashes against Widnes on Easter Monday, as well as a Good Friday derby with Wigan Warriors, before the huge 5th round clash against the Rhinos the following Saturday. That has left Brown scratching his head at the schedule, lamenting a tricky period for his side.
“The RFL have been doing a lot of good stuff with the World Cup and the new TV deal but it’s not clever to put the fifth round of the Challenge Cup the week after Easter. It’s really poor.
“Either Easter Monday’s not an important game in their eyes or the Challenge Cup’s not an important game. There’s just too much pressure on teams.
“It’s alright if you’re Wigan and you draw Hunslet but when Leeds and St Helens draw each other it’s the biggest game of the year. I don’t see the common sense in the timing. It’s the worst possible time you could pick to play that game.”
