Pre-Season Friendlies Preview (20-21 January)

There are more pre-season friendlies taking place this weekend, with less than a month to go until the Betfred Super League commences – and a week until Round One of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup competition.

For most of the Betfred Championship and League One sides, these friendlies are the last opportunity to put their pre-season efforts and preparations into practice, ahead of the first set of 1895 Cup Group Stage fixtures next weekend.

Over at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday, St Helens host Championship side Swinton Lions, where both sides will experience their first run out of 2024 and have the chance to try out new squad pairings and combinations.

The Lions will be looking to test themselves against a top Super League side before participating in their first 1895 Cup fixture the following week against North Wales Crusaders, whilst Paul Wellens’ men will be focussed on getting some crucial minutes under their belts, as the countdown to the 2024 Super League campaign is firmly on. Meanwhile, Midlands Hurricanes host reigning Betfred Super League Champions Wigan Warriors at their home ground.

Keighley Cougars are in action again on Sunday, after suffering a heavy home defeat to a full strength Castleford Tigers side last weekend. They host a determined Halifax Panthers, a side who will be searching for their first win of the year, following a narrow defeat to Bradford in their 2023 Christmas Eve Challenge.

Also in West Yorkshire, Dewsbury Rams take on Huddersfield Giants at the FLAIR Stadium. This will be the Giants’ first friendly fixture of 2024 following their pre-season camp in sunny Spain, so they should be full of energy and eager to have a run out in Sunday’s match. This will also be the Rams’ third pre-season fixture of 2024, where they are still seeking their first win – despite a big effort in defeat to Featherstone in their last outing, and a deserved draw against Batley in their latest Boxing Day clash.

All eyes will be on Castleford Tigers v London Broncos over at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Sunday – where last year’s Super League survivors take on the newly-promoted. This fixture will be an opportunity to give both teams a taste of what to expect in the upcoming campaign and could make for an interesting watch.

Across in South Yorkshire, Doncaster host Hull FC at the Eco-Power Stadium in what is the Dons’ first run out of the year. The Hull FC youngsters did their side proud when they travelled over to Bradford last Sunday – and with the entire squad aged 22 and under, a spirited Black and Whites’ side went on to display a promising performance. A youthful Hull managed to make an impressive comeback from 28-6 down, equalling as many tries as their opposition, with the final result determined by conversions. Despite falling short, it was a glimpse of the future for Hull FC.

A Cumbrian pre-season derby is also taking place, where Workington Town host their local rivals Whitehaven. The two sides will have missed each other in 2023, following Workington’s relegation to League One in 2022. Town are not a team to underestimate however, as the Workington side adapted well to life in the third tier, finishing fifth and achieving a play-off spot in last year’s regular league season. Both sides have played Widnes Vikings in pre-season fixtures this year, with Workington suffering a heavy loss and Whitehaven securing a 22-22 dramatic draw. Old foes will be reunited in this friendly game, and it is unlikely there will be any love lost.

Barrow entertain Hunslet and will be aiming for three wins out of three in their pre-season clashes, and the final friendly of the weekend is a derby game between League One rivals Rochdale Hornets and Oldham, but who will be the ones to take the spoils?

Pre-season fixtures this weekend are as follows (Sunday 21 January unless stated):

St Helens v Swinton Lions (Saturday 20 January)

Midlands Hurricanes v Wigan Warriors (Saturday 20 January)

Keighley Cougars v Halifax Panthers

Dewsbury Rams v Huddersfield Giants

Workington Town v Whitehaven RLFC

Doncaster RLFC v Hull FC

Castleford Tigers v London Broncos

Barrow Raiders v Hunslet RLFC

Rochdale Hornets v Oldham RLFC

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