Connect with us

Championship

Five fixtures to look out for in the Championship

London Broncos vs. Featherstone Rovers

London Broncos are aiming to bounce straight back to Super League. Credit: Craig Milner/News Images

The Broncos, who were relegated from the Super League, take on the side that just missed out on promotion to the top flight.

Both sides are almost certain to be competing for promotion once more and it will be interesting to see how they get on.

Rovers are heading into a new era, as former Super League coach James Webster takes charge at the LD Nutrition Stadium, and have already completed the capture of former Huddersfield and Leeds star Brett Ferres.

London have lost a few star players too, so it will be interesting to see how they adapt to life in the Championship.

@ London Broncos 1st March (3pm)

@ Featherstone Rovers 16th August (3pm)

Dewsbury Rams vs. Bradford Bulls

A game where the two teams will share a stadium. Bradford announced in the summer that they would leave their historic Odsal Stadium, and will now groundshare with the Rams.

The Bulls are hoping to build on an impressive first campaign back in the Championship after narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

Now their short-term future is secure, they are hoping to let their rugby do the talking.

As well as the Tetley’s Stadium, one of their games has been announced as a double header at Leeds Rhinos. The two will play before the Rhinos take on Wakefield Trinity.

It will be interesting to see how the relationships and rivalries develop at the two clubs over the course of the next 12 months.

@ Bradford Bulls 26th April (3pm)

@ Dewsbury Rams (Leeds Rhinos) 21st June (3pm)

Oldham vs. Swinton Lions

The promotion of Oldham will see a return of this Greater Manchester derby, and we will get three instalments of it as well, as it is one of the games at the Summer Bash.

@ Oldham 10th April (3pm)

@ Blackpool (Summer Bash) 31st May (1pm)

@ Swinton Lions 2nd August (3pm)

Leigh Centurions vs. Widnes Vikings

Leigh Centurions hoping to build on last season’s fourth place. Credit: David Greaves/News Images.

Last year, these two served up some absolute thrillers, including Widnes’ 12-8 win in the 1895 Cup semi-final at Leigh Sports Village.

While last season Widnes were crippled by perilous financial worries, this year they have had a much more stable off-season and look like they could be a force.

They have enlisted the help of experienced coach Tim Sheens for 2020, and his experience could prove crucial.

As for Leigh, they had a disappointing end to the season, losing at home to Featherstone in the playoffs, and will be keen to put it right.

They are looking to get back to the Super League after their relegation in 2017.

@ Leigh Centurions 10th April (3pm)

@ Blackpool (Summer Bash) 31st May (5.30pm)

@ Widnes Vikings 23rd August (3pm)

Toulouse vs. York City Knights

The two highest ranked teams to have stayed in the Championship from last season.

Toulouse have been knocking on the door of promotion for the last few years, and have edged closer each time, could this be their year?

York on the other hand, stunned everyone in front of them as they recorded a third place finish in their first season back in the second tier.

They both played some really good games last year, the standout being a 25-18 win for Toulouse in North Yorkshire.

Both have added some considerable experience from both the Super League and the NRL and it will be interesting to see them both go again.

@ Toulouse 1st February (3.30pm) (UK Time)

@ York City Knights 20th June (3pm)

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in Championship