With just five games remaining in the 2023 Betfred Championship, there is still plenty to play for as the end of season Play-Offs near ever closer.
Round 22 of the Championship gets underway on Friday evening when third-placed Sheffield Eagles entertain league leaders Featherstone Rovers at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
Featherstone head into the tie knowing a win could move them up to 40 points and potentially secure the League Leaders’ Shield.
Rovers have won their last six fixtures against the hosts, including six wins away from home. The Eagles' last victory against Rovers was a 35-10 home win at Hallam University Sports Park on 24 June 2016.
However, despite this, the Eagles are a side that boasts real quality and they will be confident of earning a positive result this weekend.
On Saturday, Toulouse Olympique host Swinton Lions in the sole fixture of the day knowing that they must win to prevent Featherstone from securing the League Leaders’ Shield this weekend.
Swinton won the last meeting between the sides in May of this year when they produced a shock 19-12 victory, but Olympique head into this weekend’s fixture of the back of three consecutive league wins.
Four further games take place across the Betfred Championship on Sunday.
Fifth-placed Bradford Bulls face off against bottom side Newcastle Thunder at Odsal, York Knights travel to Widnes Vikings, 2023 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Winners Halifax meet London Broncos and fellow finalists Batley face Keighley Cougars in a Yorkshire derby.
Just eight points separate Toulouse and eighth-placed London, meaning anyone is still in with a shout of reaching the Play-Offs.
The final tie of the round takes place on Monday evening when Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven and Barrow Raiders lock horns at the LEL Arena, in what is set to be a thrilling spectacle live on Viaplay Sports!
Just three points currently separate the sides in the table, meaning a win for either side in their bids to stave the drop.
If selected, Barrow’s Greg Worthington will make his 250th career appearance.
Betfred Championship Round 22 Fixtures
Friday 18 August
- Sheffield Eagles vs Featherstone Rovers – 19:30
Saturday 19 August
- Toulouse Olympique vs Swinton Lions – 18:00
Sunday 20 August
- Keighley Cougars vs Batley Bulldogs – 15:00
- Widnes Vikings vs York Knights – 15:00
- Bradford Bulls vs Newcastle Thunder – 15:00
- London Broncos vs Halifax Panthers – 15:00
Monday 21 August
- Whitehaven vs Barrow Raiders – 19:45
