Super League's Magic Weekend postponed due to pandemic

Super League's Dacia Magic Weekend in Newcastle has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event, which sees all 12 Super League teams play at the same venue over two days, was set to return to St James' Park on May 23-24 after the 2019 edition was held at An field.

Sport has been decimated by Covid-19 and the Magic Weekend is yet another casualty to the sporting calendar, but Super League intends to play the two-day event during the 2020 Super League season at a later date.

Super League chief executive Robert Elstone said: "It's regrettable that Super League has had to make this decision but in light of the current situation, it is sadly unavoidable.

"Our fans will be disappointed because they were all looking forward to returning to Newcastle; however, Magic is still firmly in our plans for 2020, with St James' Park, at a later date, one of the options being considered."

Any tickets that were already bought will be transferable to the new dates at St James' Park or the alternate venue depending on when the season will resume.

The Rugby Football League also confirmed that the 2020 Betfred Championship Summer Bash has been cancelled.

The event, scheduled as a 27th round of fixtures for Championship clubs, was was due to be staged at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road on the weekend of May 30-31.

*Newcastle Falcons defence coach John Wells is taking up the same role at Italian club Rugby Colorno.

Wells joined Newcastle in 2012 and served as forwards coach and head coach before becoming defence coach for the Falcons.

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards said Wells had made" an outstanding contributionto the club over the past eight years".

Wells helped steer Newcastle back into the Gallagher Premier ship before taking on his new challenge in Italy.

*Munster prop James Cronin has been handed a one monthban for" an unintentional anti-do ping violation ".

Cronin tested positive for banned substances pr ed ni solo ne and pr ed ni so ne following Munster's Heineken Champions Cup match against Racing 92 in November last year.

European Professional Club Rugby( E PC R) established that a prescription mix-up, with Cronin dispensed medication by a pharmacy that was meant for another customer, was the root cause of the failed drugs test.