Pre-Season Friendlies Preview (13-14 January)

There are more five more friendlies taking place this weekend, with teams from all three leagues – the Betfred Super League, Championship and League One, as the 2024 competitions are now fast-approaching.

Barrow Raiders vs. North Wales Crusaders

Barrow will be looking to add a second pre-season win to under their belt, as they take on North Wales Crusaders in a home friendly on Saturday. This is following their 46-6 thrashing of Rochdale Hornets in their pre-season fixture the weekend before.

The North Wales Crusaders, who were League One Grand Finalists last year, will also be ready for a run out, and ready to start their 2024 season strong. The Crusaders impressively reached the Grand Final from sixth place in 2023, before falling agonisingly short to Doncaster and missing out on promotion to the Betfred Championship. This pre-season fixture will give them the opportunity to build momentum going into the upcoming campaign, as they will aim to finish even further up the League One table this time around.

Bradford Bulls vs. Hull FC

On Sunday, Bradford’s pre-season preparations are put into practice once again in another one of their local friendly matches, when they host Super League side Hull FC at Odsal Stadium. This will be the Bulls’ third pre-season fixture, as they look to test themselves against the top sides heading into the 2024 Betfred Championship competition.

This is Hull’s first run out of 2024, where Tony Smith’s men will look to test their new pairings and combinations, where fans could see the Black and Whites’ youth and new signings make their first appearances.

Keighley Cougars vs. Castleford Tigers (Jake Webster's Farewell Game)

These will also be Keighley and Castleford’s first minutes played of 2024 – in a pre-season clash at Cougar Park on Sunday. Keighley were relegated from the Championship on points difference last year and will be ready to right the wrongs of 2023 as they prepare for the upcoming season. 

Castleford will also be ready to hit the ground running following a disappointing 2023 Super League campaign, where they were embroiled into a late and nervy relegation battle with Wakefield Trinity. Managing to survive, the Tigers will be determined to start 2024 with a win – friendly or not, and show they mean business this year. 

Craig Lingard, a past coach of the Cougars, returns to Keighley for the first time and will be hoping his newly-looking Tigers side can display a good performance and showcase their hard work in pre-season. 

This pre-season friendly will also be Jake Webster’s last, as he officially hangs up his boots after this Farewell Game. Earlier this year, the Tigers were set to take on the Cougars in what would have been the former Castleford man’s testimonial but due to adverse weather conditions, the game was postponed. Fast forward to now and both sides will take to the field to honour the Tigers legend and more details about this and Webster can be found here.

Featherstone vs. Dewsbury Rams

Elsewhere, Featherstone Rovers host their second pre-season fixture at the Millenium Stadium on Sunday – and this time it will be against Dale Ferguson’s recently promoted Dewsbury Rams. The Rovers also began 2024 with a win last weekend, after grinding out a 16-12 derby victory against locals rivals Bradford Bulls. They will be raring to go against another local rival.

Dewsbury, now deservedly back in the Championship for the 2024 campaign following a strong and impressive season in League One, will be looking to test themselves against one of the top Championship outfits. What can the Rams achieve in 2024?

Widnes Vikings vs. Whitehaven RLFC (Jack Owens' Testimonial Fixture)

The Vikings enjoyed a convincing win over Workington Town last Sunday and will be hoping they can come out on top against another Cumbrian side this weekend when they take on Whitehaven. This will be also be Jack Owens' testimonial fixture, as the Vikings captain embarks on his 11th season with the club.

This will be Whitehaven’s first outing in 2024. Whitehaven narrowly escaped relegation in 2023, surviving on points difference alone - so this pre-season fixture will be a big test for Jonty Gorley’s men, as they make the trip to the DCBL Stadium Halton.

Information and kick-off times regarding these five pre-season fixtures and other upcoming friendlies can be found in the Rugby League Match Centre. 

Photo Credit: Barrow Raiders