3 Feb 2023

Betfred Championship Preview | Round One

The 2023 Betfred Championship gets underway this weekend with Barrow Raiders hosting newly relegated Toulouse on Saturday, in a fixture which will be shown live on Our League.

Saturday

Barrow Raiders v Toulouse

Barrow Raiders have a tough task in their opening match, as they welcome Toulouse to the Matt Johnson Stadium.

The Raiders had a strong season in their first season back in the Championship after they secured promotion from League One in 2021.

Paul Crarey’s side finished fourth in the table, with 18 wins from their 27 matches.

After finishing fourth, they secured a home play-off match, but they failed to beat Batley.

Barrow will be without key players Tee Ritson and Hakim Miloudi, who have both left the club. However, Andrew Bulman could replace the void Ritson has made.

The Raiders will be hoping to get off to an opening home win, just like they did against Sheffield last season.

Toulouse secured promotion from the Betfred Championship in 2021, however, they returned immediately after a one-year stint in the Super League.

Five victories, saw Olympique relegated, however, they did make it a difficult place to go get a victory.

Sylvain Houles’ side have lost arguably some very key players, but a dual-registration partnership with fellow French side, Catalans will help them.

Toulouse have an impressive record against Barrow. The French side have won their previous seven matches.

The match will kick-off 3PM and will be shown live on Our League.

Sunday

Bradford Bulls v Whitehaven

Off the field, Bradford Bulls will be looking to break the Championship record attendance when Whitehaven make the trip to West Yorkshire.

Bradford will be looking to improve on last season, however, there did seem to be an increase in performance and results when Mark Dunning took over as head coach.

During the off-season, Bradford have recruited strongly and have gone for a mixture of youth plus experienced Super League players.

Arguably one of the best signings for the Championship is former Leeds Rhinos fullback, Jack Walker. Walker went on loan to Hull FC last season, but an injury cut him time short with the Black and Whites.

New signing Ben Blackmore will be hoping for an immediate impact. Blackmore is just one try away from 100 in his career.

Whitehaven will travel to Odsal looking to ruin their party. Whitehaven have won on their last two visits to Odsal and will be hoping to make it three in a row.

Haven have brought Jamie Doran to his hometown club. Doran has been a key part of Cumbrian side, Workington Town, but he has since made the switch following Town’s relegation to League One

Halifax Panthers v Sheffield Eagles

Halifax Panthers will welcome Sheffield Eagles to The Shay on Sunday.

The Panthers will be looking to start the season strongly, after an impressive 2022. Halifax ended the season with 20 wins, which saw them finish third in the table.

Lachlan Walmsley was a big threat on the wing for Halifax last season, he will be looking to continue on this season. Walmsley has scored on each of his last three appearances against Sheffield.

On the other wing, Halifax could feature new signing Jake Maizen. Maizen impressed during the World Cup, most notably when he scored a hat-trick during Italy’s victory over Scotland.

Joe Keyes will continue to pull the strings in the halves. Keyes proved to be an attacking threat himself after scoring four tries in one fixture.

Mark Aston side will be looking to reach the play-offs this season after missing out in 2022.

Sheffield have recruited during the off-season which sees them add former Super League players to their ranks.

Jesse Sene-Lefao most notably played for Castleford, he has made the move from Featherstone.

Meanwhile Aaron Murphy joins from Bradford. If Murphy is to make his Sheffield debut, it will be the 300^th of his career.

Ben Jones-Bishop is a player who has reached 300 career appearances since his last competitive match for the Eagles. Jones-Bishop reached that milestone during Jamaica’s 74-12 defeat to Lebanon.

Sheffield will be looking for their first victory at The Shay since a 20-18 win back in Round 24 of the 2019 season.

London Broncos v Batley Bulldogs

Craig Lingard’s Batley Bulldogs are the first side to make the trip to the capital, as they will face London Broncos on Sunday.

Batley will be looking to repeat their remarkable season from last year. The Bulldogs shocked many as they reached the Championship Grand Final and were 80 minutes away from Super League, but Leigh proved too strong.

Since then, Batley have lost key players Luke Hooley and Tom Gilmore to Leeds Rhinos and Widnes Vikings respectively.

Former Bradford duo Elliot Kear and Samy Kibula have joined Batley. Meanwhile, former Wakefield forward Keegan Hirst returns to rugby league.

If Batley are to get an away win against London, it will be their first since 1988.

London will be hoping for a better season this year. Mike Eccles improved the side which saw them initially in a relegation battle. The Broncos have recruited from overseas which could give them a strong dynamic.

The Broncos have won their last 11 home meetings with Batley and they will be looking to make it 12 on Sunday when the sides meet.

Swinton Lions v Newcastle Thunder

Swinton Lions welcome Newcastle Thunder to Heywood Road after the Lions secured promotion last season from Betfred League One.

Swinton beat Doncaster in a tight contest, which saw them seal promotion back to the Championship following their relegation.

Jack Hansen played a key role in the promotion, but he has since left for Sheffield Eagles.

However, they have signed some interesting players including Gavin Rodden from the North Wales Crusaders.

Newcastle Thunder ended the season with a string of defeats which saw them drop to the place above the relegation places on the final game.

Since last season, Thunder have since reverted to part time, and this has seen 13 players depart the club.

Alex Foster was named as captain earlier in the week and is expected to skipper the side on Sunday.

Hull FC’s Denive Balmforth has joined Thunder on loan. The 19-year-old hooker could make his debut on Sunday.

Ted Chapelhow could make his 150^th appearance on Sunday. Chapelhow has made 37 appearances so far for Newcastle.

York Knights v Widnes Vikings

Andrew Henderson will take charge of his first competitive game as York. The Knights will be looking to reach the play-offs yet again after reaching that stage in 2022.

Toby Warren has joined Leeds Rhinos; however, they have invested in some big signings.

Josh Daley joins from Australia, meanwhile, Ronan Michael makes the move from Huddersfield permanent.

James Cunningham made a late switch from Toulouse and has been named in the 21-player squad.

York have won the previous six meetings between the two sides. This includes a 32-6 success at the LNER Community Stadium last season.

Widnes Vikings will be looking to reach the play-offs under boss John Kear. Kear’s side picked up towards the back end of the season, but it was too late for them to finish in the top six.

Familiar faces return in 2023 as Jordan Johnstone re-joins Widnes after departing Super League side Hull FC. Tom Gilmore is another Viking who returns. Gilmore helped guide Batley to the Championship Grand Final, before they were defeated by Leigh.

Widnes got off to a great start in 2022, with four victories in their opening four matches. However, six defeats in a row, including the away defeat at York saw them drop down the table.

The sides will meet at the LNER Community Stadium at 3PM on Sunday.

Monday

Keighley Cougars v Featherstone Rovers

Keighley were promoted from the Betfred League One with a perfect record after winning all 20 league matches.

The Cougars have recruited well in the off-season. Former Man of Steel and England international, Luke Gale has joined the West Yorkshire side.

Ben Crooks has also made the switch. The centre played for Super League side Hull KR last season.

Rhys Lovegrove’s side were free scorers last season and will be looking to continue the theme despite the step up in competition.

Featherstone Rovers will be looking to reach the Betfred Super League this season and they have seen changes on and off the field.

Former St Helens duo Sean Long and Leon Pryce are both involved in the coaching. Long will be the head coach, meanwhile Pryce will assist as part of his backroom staff.

Pryce will be able to have a big impact on the young halves. Thomas Lacans and Riley Dean are an exciting partnership who could lead Featherstone to the top.

In the forward pack, they have strengthened with McKenzie Yei. The Papua New Guinea international will be a big threat to sides.

Featherstone will be looking to keep their winning run against Keighley going. Rovers have won the last 15 meetings between the two sides. Keighley’s last victory over Featherstone came back in May 2004.

The match will kick-off at 7:45PM at Cougar Park and will be shown live on Viaplay Sports.

Round One Fixtures:

Saturday