The Challenge Cup games on Sunday rounded off a great weekend of rugby league but this coming week sees more huge matchups, including a Friday night clash between two sides stinging after successive defeats.
With round three of the Challenge Cup in the books it means there’s a return of the Championship and League One, as well as both Super League and the NRL meaning a total of seven games are available for fans over the next seven days.
Thursday 16th March
Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels: 9:05am on Sky Sports Action
Castleford Tigers vs Leeds Rhinos: 8:00pm on Sky Sports Arena
The morning’s NRL action sees Manly coming fresh off an early bye week to host a Parramatta side featuring Josh Hodgson who have been edged out by four points twice. As for the evening fixture a rejuvenated Leeds Rhinos head to the Jungle where Castleford will be looking for their first win of the season. Can former Tiger Derrell Olpherts add more misery to his former club?
Friday 17th March
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: 9:05am on Sky Sports Main Event/Arena
St Helens vs Hull FC: 8:00pm on Sky Sports Arena
Friday tees up two brilliant games with the first seeing two Sydney sides go against each other in a game that will pit England forwards Victor Radley and Tom Burgess against each other. Both sides enter with a win and a loss, but also huge expectations for the season, meaning it’s likely to be a brilliant game. The Super League then offers up St Helens hosting Hull FC, both sides coming off successive losses and both desperate to forget their last game. It should be another excellent game at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Sunday 19th March
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks: 7:15am Sky Sports Arena
Workington Town vs Dewsbury Rams: 3:oopm on The Sportsman Youtube Channel
Canberra have had a rough start to the year losing by one point in round one and then slipping up against new boys The Dolphins in round two, but they’ll host Cronulla who edged out Parramatta at the weekend to kickstart their campaign. As for the afternoon fixture it’s one for Youtube and shows off the strength of League One with favourites for promotion Dewsbury heading to Workington. Both sides got relegated from the Championship in 2022 so it could be a tight match-up.
Monday 20th March
Batley Bulldogs vs Barrow Raiders: 7:45pm on Viaplay Sports 1
The Championship returns this weekend and it returns to out TV on Viaplay Sports once again. Last season’s surprise packages Batley, who made the Million Pound Game, and Barrow, who finished fourth in their first season since promotion, face off and will look to ignite their season. Both sides have struggles in the league, Barrow still without a win, but victories in the Challenge Cup this past weekend might be what they needed to get going.
** All NRL games will also be available on the Watch NRL streaming platform **