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Why to watch the Championship in 2021

The Championship has been given the green light to go ahead in March, and this is why you should take such a keen interest in it in 2021.

Firstly, it will be the first time these clubs have played in a year, so they will all raring to go, and hopefully be fresh enough to produce some exhilarating rugby.

Context

Championship clubs have not been able to play since March 2020. Credit: News Images

The competition was regrettably voided in 2020, but it already looked like a really good competition was in its infancy.

Toulouse led the way, but just two points behind them were Leigh Centurions, London Broncos and Featherstone Rovers.  Dewsbury Rams and Widnes Vikings had also made good starts to the season.

Take that into consideration, and also the likes of Halifax, Whitehaven and Oldham have all been busy recruiting.

There is also a new club in Newcastle Thunder, who harbour serious ambitions of reaching the Super League. They are another who have recruited well in the off-season.

The Championship is always notoriously a difficult league to predict, and this will be no exception.

Changes and Statement signings

Adam Cuthbertson is one of many high-profile signing for York City Knights. Credit: News Images

Of course there have been changes to certain clubs, with some changing coaches and losing players for different reasons.

Most notably, Newcastle lost head coach Simon Finnigan to Widnes. They employed former Widnes player Eamon O’Carroll to take up the reigns.

Widnes’ squad has also seen a change, with several players taking contracts with Ottawa Aces, and an emphasis on youth, with several youngsters making the step up to the First Team.

York are also continuing to raise eyebrows with their signings, several high profile Super League players like Ryan Atkins, Ben Jones-Bishop and Adam Cuthbertson to name a few have all signed for the Knights.

They had not  started the season well in 2020, but do not be surprised to see them up there again this year.

Toulouse have also been busy, with the signings of Mitch Garbutt, Dom Peyroux and Remi Casty to boost their forward line.

Featherstone have also added more Super League experience to their ranks with Junior Moors and Craig  Kopczak bulking up their pack.

The league is set to be much closer this time around, with several teams very close to each other in terms of quality at both ends of the table.

Who will win the race to enter the Super League?

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