Channel 4 has served up some fantastic clashes this season including Leeds Rhinos’ win over Catalans Dragons, Wigan Warriors’ shock opening day defeat to Hull KR and the meeting between Super League and World Champions St Helens and the expansive Salford Red Devils on a landmark day for James Roby.
That was the last time we saw rugby league on Channel 4 and it has been a long old time between drinks so to speak.
For many rugby league fans, Channel 4’s coverage of the sport is a brilliant alternative and they will be waiting anxiously for it to return especially if they don’t have Sky Sports.
That last game also shows the kind of quality Channel 4 tend to be able to show.
Salford went into the game on a winning run against a Saints side who had lost three of the last four.
Salford were also looking to avenge their semi-final defeat against St Helens last year and looked set to after superb tries from Brodie Croft and Ryan Brierley put them 12-0 up.
But the Saints scored five tries without reply including 20 second half points to plough ahead and claim a thumping win over the Red Devils.
But when can we look forward to Channel 4’s next game which always seem to deliver and always have top notch coverage?
Well the next Channel 4 game is in summer at the end of July on 29th as Wigan Warriors take on Leigh Leopards at 1pm.
It is the second instalment this year of the derby between the two: the Battle of the Borough.
When he last appeared on Channel 4, former Wigan star Sam Tomkins had his say on Leigh: “They are really good. I said before a ball was kicked this season that Leigh could be the surprise package. They are a team that has come in. Everyone was talking about their new name, the Leopards, no body was talking about the squad.
“They have a really good squad. When they are firing they score some tries. I think they will be in the play-offs and will upset some people.”
Helen Skelton meanwhile added: “It might sound flippant but a Leigh Leopards shirt is what kids want to buy.”
Now Leigh are set to be centre stage on Channel 4 and depending on results this could be a Challenge Cup Final dress rehearsal.
