HOPES of a packed house at Saints’ home Super League clash against Wigan Warriors on Sunday, 4 July have been scuppered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement.

It had been hoped the game would take place in front of huge gate, but the pushing back of the full reopening date until July 19 due to a rise in cases linked to the Delta variant of coronavirus means it will again be played in front of a limited crowd.

As things stand the Wigan game is the only home game that falls within that extended four-week period.

But it will mean a restricted 4,000-capacity crowd, with members balloted to decide who can attend, with no away fans in attendance.

The club will again have to refund members as well as missing out on the extra revenue that would have come with a packed house.

Saints' other games within the four week extension are away at Hull KR, Castleford and Wakefield, with the Challenge Cup Final in the middle.

The RFL are hopeful of securing special status for the Wembley showpiece.