Whitehaven to face two Super League teams in pre-season

Whitehaven have confirmed their 2023 pre-season schedule, including two Super League opponents.

The Championship outfit will start their campaign with the annual West Cumbrian Derby in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy on Sunday 15th January against neighbours Workington.

Following Workington’s recent relegation to League One, this looks set to be the only meeting between the sides in 2023 barring a potential Challenge Cup encounter.

Whitehaven, who eventually finished the 2022 season in ninth, got the better of their local rivals in the league last season with Town ending the campaign with only one win.

However, last year’s January staging saw Haven lose in the dying moments to a last gasp try, adding an extra incentive to this match at the LEL Arena as Workington look to defend the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy.

The LEL Arena will then host Challenge Cup winners Wigan Warriors on Sunday 22nd January, with Matty Peet’s side expected to field a reserve side.

It will be the first time Whitehaven have played Wigan since 2008, when current England captain Sam Tomkins made his debut and scored five tries in the Challenge Cup.

Haven’s final pre-season match will again be against Super League opposition, however that team has yet to be revealed though the club have confirmed this will also be staged at the LEL Arena.

Details of this match, including the date and kick-off time, are expected to be confirmed by the Whitehaven club at some stage next week.