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Rugby League

Rhinos face Rovers in opener

26/11/2007

Super League champions Leeds Rhinos are set to open their title defence at Headingley Carnegie against Hull Kingston Rovers on February 2nd 2008.

Leeds beat reigning champions St Helens 33-6 in the grand final at Old Trafford in October to take the championship, despite Saints finishing the regular season with the best overall record.

The match against Hull KR has been brought forward from the fourth round of fixtures to enable the Rhinos to take part in the World Club Challenge against Australian NRL champions Melbourne Storm.

All round one matches will take place over the weekend of February 8th - 10th.

Newly-promoted Castleford will kick-off their Super League campaign against Catalans Dragons at their home ground the Jungle, while Hull KR face St Helens in a second difficult fixture to start the season.

The Rhinos travel to Huddersfield Giants for a local derby in their second match.

It has also been revealed that the Millennium Magic weekend, when all 12 Super League teams play back-to-back matches at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium over Saturday and Sunday, will take place in week 13 (May 3rd and 4th).

The fixtures include several derby matches, including Bradford Bulls against Leeds Rhinos (Saturday); Hull FC versus Hull KR (Sunday); and St Helens play Wigan Warriors (Sunday).

Full opening weekend of Super League XIII:

Friday February 8th
Warrington Wolves v Hull FC, 19:30

Saturday February 9th
Harlequins v Wigan Warriors, 15:00
Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons, 18:00

Sunday February 10th
Hull KR v St Helens, 15:00
Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos, 15:00
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Bradford Bulls, 15:30