Following the Festive break, preparations for the 2022 season are well underway and there is already a bumper pre-season schedule for Rugby League fans to look forward to.
Pre-season gets underway for six teams this upcoming weekend with York City Knights and newly rebranded Midlands Hurricanes starting proceedings on Friday evening whilst Bradford Bulls host Batley Bulldogs on Sunday 9 January.
2022 will see three Cumbrian teams compete in the Betfred Championship and there are two tasty all-Cumbrian affairs in pre-season as Workington Town travel to Barrow Raiders on Sunday 9 January before hosting Whitehaven a week later - Sunday 16 January.
There are a handful of additional fixtures on Sunday 16 January with three Betfred Championship sides going up against Betfred Super League opposition. Bradford Bulls welcome Hull FC, York host Castleford Tigers while Wakefield Trinity make the trip to Halifax Panthers.
Elsewhere, Salford Red Devils will battle Swinton Lions – in a double-header with the Women’s fixture – and Dewsbury Rams face Huddersfield Giants on Saturday 15 January.
St Helens will face Leigh Centurions once again this year to celebrate England international Alex Walmsley’s Testimonial. On Saturday 29 January, Warrington Wolves will meet Wigan Warriors in Stefan Ratchford’s Testimonial before the Wolves host Salford Red Devils on Friday 4 February in Lee Mossop’s Testimonial fixture.
Sunday 30 January sees two all-Super League affairs as Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants are scheduled to meet alongside Leeds welcoming Hull FC.
Following the RFL's decision to defer a final decision on the return of scrums until the end of January, the majority of these pre-season friendlies will feature no scrums.
Friday 7 January
York City Knights v Midlands Hurricanes – 7:30pm
Sunday 9 January
Barrow Raiders v Workington Town – 3pm
Bradford Bulls v Batley Bulldogs – 3pm
Saturday 15 January
Dewsbury Rams v Huddersfield Giants – 1pm – Michael Knowles Testimonial Fixture
Salford Red Devils v Swinton Lions – 2pm
Sunday 16 January
Workington Town v Whitehaven – 2pm
Barrow Raiders v Newcastle Thunder – 3pm
Bradford Bulls v Hull FC – 3pm – Danny Brough Testimonial Fixture
Halifax Panthers v Wakefield Trinity – 3pm – Scott Grix Testimonial Fixture
Widnes Vikings v Batley Bulldogs – 3pm – Danny Craven Testimonial Fixture
York City Knights v Castleford Tigers – 3pm
Friday 21 January
Dewsbury Rams v Hull KR – 7:30pm
Salford Red Devils v Halifax Panthers – 7:30pm
St Helens v Leigh Centurions – 7:30pm – Alex Walmsley Testimonial Fixture
Sunday 23 January
Barrow Raiders v North Wales Crusaders – 3pm
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos – 3pm
Huddersfield Giants v Batley Bulldogs – 3pm
Doncaster RLFC v Castleford Tigers – 3pm
Newcastle Thunder v Wigan Warriors – 3pm
Saturday 29 January
Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors – 7:30pm – Stefan Ratchford Testimonial Fixture
Sunday 30 January
Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants – 3pm
Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC – 3pm
Friday 4 February
Warrington Wolves v Salford Red Devils – 7:45pm – Lee Mossop Testimonial Fixture
Sunday 6 February
Hunslet RLFC v Leeds Rhinos – 3pm
