The fixtures for round one of the 2024 Championship campaign were announced this morning with clubs and the RFL taking to social media to confirm games, however it seems there has already been confusion over one fixture.
All eight of the round one games in the Championship were confirmed, whilst each League One side confirmed their opening home fixture.
Because of the new 1895 Cup format, which features a group stage prior to a knock-out stage, starting in January and running through February it means that both Championship and League One don’t start till mid March.
That’s a huge delay on last season when the respective leagues kicked off in the first and third weekend of February, whilst it’s also a month later than the Super League kick-off in 2024.
The opening game will see relegated Wakefield Trinity host Bradford Bulls on Friday 15th February, with a game then scheduled for Saturday between Toulouse Olympique and Sheffield Eagles.
It’s certainly a brilliant first two days of action for the competition however it would appear that there’s already been an error in the announcement of the Toulouse and Sheffield clash.
Per the RFL graphic confirming the opening round of fixtures it would seem that the Eagles have to travel to France to face the Olympians, however Sheffield have since responded to try correct this.
The RFL’s graphic was shared on X, formerly Twitter, clearly indicating Toulouse to host Sheffield, to which the Eagles have since responded.
Sheffield replied: “For our fans and all fans of @TOXIII we will be playing in Sheffield on the 16th March. KO 6pm”
For our fans and all fans of @TOXIII we will be playing in Sheffield on the 16th March. KO 6pm
— Sheffield Eagles (@SheffieldEagles) December 2, 2023
With fans always keen to book away trips and get the best prices it could be a costly error, hence Sheffield’s eagerness to correct it.
It highlights an early error in the calendar, much like in Super League where we’ve already seen a rescheduling of a fixture days after the schedule was confirmed.
Hull KR’s clash with Salford Red Devils in round three has seen a kick-off time change from 3:00pm to 5:30pm just days after it’s initial announcement.
Among the other Championship round one games Batley travel to 2023 League Leaders Shield winners Featherstone in their first game without head coach Craig Lingard.
Dewsbury face 1895 Cup winners Halifax following their promotion, whilst fellow promoted side Doncaster host York Knights.
Whitehaven host Swinton after both sides avoided the drop in 2023, whilst Barrow travel to Widnes with all games set to take place on the weekend of 16th and 17th March, the Wakefield and Bradford game having started the season on the Friday 15th.
