New Super League season fixtures released

Fixtures for the next Super League campaign have been released.

Richard Agar says he is pleased his Hull FC side have been handed a stern test of their credentials to start the new season.

Hull open their Super League XV campaign against last season's second and third-placed sides with a match at St Helens followed by a home tie with Huddersfield.

With a trip to a new-look ambitious Crusaders side to follow before a home game against Hull's bogey side Harlequins, the Black and Whites have an attractive opening to the new season.

Agar told the Mail: "There is a strong test for us in the opening rounds but the fixtures have a nice balance to them and we are happy.

"You have to play everyone home and away and it doesn't matter too much when that is, but having St Helens away is a great way to start."

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan says knowledge of the club's 2010 fixture list will help intensify training as excitement builds towards the new season.

And he said he was delighted to see his side handed a home game on the opening day – the first time since their first-ever Super League fixture in 2007.

On that historic occasion, Rovers beat John Kear's Wakefield side 14-9 thanks to Ben Cockayne's 77th-minute try.

And with KR coming into the new season on the back of a fourth-place finish in 2009, Morgan expects there to be similar expectation and excitement when Rovers host Salford on Sunday, February 7.

"Hopefully we can replicate the atmosphere from that Wakefield game, and more importantly the result," Morgan told the Mail.

Super League fixtures: See today's Mail for special pullout fixture posters and full reaction to the new campaign.