Leeds Carnegie have announced that their Aviva Premiership game against Gloucester on New Year’s Day will now kick off at 1pm at Headingley Carnegie.

The kick-off has been brought forward as a result of the recent cold snap and in an attempt to make sure the game goes ahead in the brightest part of the day.

The match will now form part of a double-header feast of rugby, with Leeds Rhinos set to take on Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Festive Charity Trophy at 3pm. Admission on the day will cover both games.

The concept of having a double header came about following the postponement of the original date for the Rhinos v Wildcats game on Boxing Day.

Leeds’ chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “Despite an outstanding job by our groundstaff, unfortunately circumstances have conspired against us on this occasion.

“Having looked at all the possible scenarios, playing both games on the same day gives us the best possible chance of getting both games on.

“We have requested from Premiership Rugby the use of the pitch-protection facilities that are currently in use at Newcastle Falcons to help thaw the pitch for the Gloucester game.

“It is the opinion of our head groundsman Jason Booth that if we are successful in thawing the pitch for the Gloucester game, during the course of the day the pitch will freeze deeper and harder than it has currently, therefore leaving us no option but to look to play both games on the same day.

“However, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a great afternoon of rugby on New Year’s Day.

"We appreciate that playing both games on the same day will present some logistical challenges and we would appeal for supporters to help us overcome these.”

Booth says that the prolonged period of cold weather continues to break records at the stadium and his team are working hard to overcome new challenges, including the requesting of that equipment from Premiership Rugby to ensure the Gloucester game goes ahead.

He added: “We find ourselves in a position where the frost has penetrated the frost sheets and surface to a depth of two to three inches.

"We have experienced temperatures as low as minus 12 and 13 over the past few days. With the temperature set to stay below zero, the additional help of the pitch cover will be a major asset in our attempts to make sure we play on New Year’s Day.”

Admission prices for Saturday have been reduced from the usual Leeds Carnegie match-day prices.

Anyone who has already purchased a match ticket for the Leeds Carnegie v Gloucester game will be contacted by the ticket office in due course.

Hetherington added: “This is a great occasion for fans of both codes to see the other in action. Leeds Carnegie have a crucial game against Gloucester, while the Rhinos and Wakefield have named very strong sides for this traditional fixture.

"It will be a wonderful chance for fans to meet with family and friends and see in the New Year, get out of the house and see two games of top-class sport.”