After four months away, Betfred League One officially make its long-awaited return this weekend.
London Skolars will get things underway when they host Workington Town at the New River Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in what will be the opening game of the 2023 season.
Skolars, who finished five points outside the play-offs in 2022, will be hoping to go one further this time around whilst Town, who were relegated from the Championship, will be looking to immediately bounce back to the second tier.
Workington, who will be led in 2023 by new Head Coach Anthony Murray, have signed over 15 players in an incredibly active off-season as the club aims to earn promotion at the first time of asking.
On Sunday, Midlands Hurricanes will play their first home game at the impressive Alexander Stadium when Cornwall make the long trip up to Birmingham, with the match being shown live on The Sportsman.
The Hurricanes finished two places outside of the play-offs in 2022 and will hope that the likes of captain Chris Cullimore and Matthew Bailey, who have signed for the club from Keighley Cougars, plus the arrivals of established League One players such as Macauley Hallet and Kieran Moran can help Richard Squire’s side go one further this time around.
Cornwall meanwhile are also entering a new era under recently appointed Head Coach Mike Abbott, and after recently announcing the signings of Australian half-back Cameron Brown and former Hull FC winger Jermarie Chatham, the club mean business in 2023.
Elsehwere, last year’s Grand-Finalists Doncaster host Hunslet, whilst Dewsbury Rams will play their first game back in the third tier away at North Wales Crusaders.
Oldham and Rochdale Hornets will kickstart their 2023 campaigns on Sunday 5 March.
Round One fixtures
Saturday 18 February
- London Skolars vs Workington Town, 15:00.
Sunday 19 February
- North Wales Crusaders vs Dewsbury Rams, 14:30.
- Doncaster vs Hunslet, 15:00.
- Midlands Hurricanes vs Cornwall, 15:00.
