St Helens were forced to leave Hull KR’s Sewell Group Craven Park under police escort after what the club called a “terror threat” was sent to their Instagram account during their 20-12 Super League semi-final playoff defeat.
A police cordon surrounded the team coach as players and staff boarded following the game, with the vehicle then given a police escort as it left the area. Their head coach, Paul Wellens, held talks with officers immediately after the game.
A spokesperson for the club said: “The club had a terrorist threat sent to the Saints’ Instagram account.
“It was reported to the St Helens Ground Safety Officer and they spoke to Hull KR’s Ground Safety Officer. They are treating it with the utmost seriousness.”
Neither the Saints nor Hull KR are expected to comment further at this stage, with the matter now in the hands of the police, who are investigating the threat – but both clubs are believed to be taking the matter seriously.
Rovers won the game to progress to a second successive Super League Grand Final, where they will face the defending champions, Wigan Warriors, at Old Trafford next Saturday.