If fans thought Rivals Round was just a concept in the Betfred Super League then fear not, because there’s some unmissable rivalries happening in Round 2 of the Betfred Championship.
The Good Friday tradition will continue with six blockbuster derbies taking place, where two points and the all-important bragging rights are at stake.
In Yorkshire, there’s a series of local affairs and a Friday night feast of Rugby League, starting with Doncaster entertaining Sheffield Eagles at the Eco-Power Stadium in an eagerly-awaited derby. The Dons have already proved early on that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2024, as the newly-promoted returned to the second tier with a bang in Round 1 following an impressive 36-20 win over last year’s Play-Off contenders York Knights. Aiming to challenge at the top, Doncaster will be seeking their second consecutive win on Good Friday.
Sheffield have also impressed – most recently putting World Club Champions Wigan to the test in the Challenge Cup Sixth Round – and they will also be looking for back-to-back league wins.
The two sides have already met once this year in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup competition in what unfolded as an extremely close contest, the Eagles coming up with the spoils 18-22. Mark Aston’s men are no strangers to the Eco-Power Stadium, having ground shared with their rivals on multiple occasions – but who will come out on top this time?
The historic Heavy Woollen derby makes it long-awaited return when Batley Bulldogs travel to Dewsbury Rams. They meet in the league for the first time since 2022 following Dewsbury’s promotion from League One.
But they’ll be no love lost between the two sides and even more so with both seeking their first league win of the season. The Bulldogs have a better winning record in recent times, but could the Rams’ home advantage work in their favour? Either way, it’s predicted to be a cracker!
Over at Bartercard Odsal, Bradford will play hosts to Halifax and the Bulls will be looking to bounce back after a 42-12 defeat to Wakefield Trinity in Round 1.
It will be the Bulls’ home opener, as they welcome Liam Finn’s Halifax Panthers for the second time in a matter of months. They last faced each other in their Christmas Challenge fixture on Christmas Eve last year, so both sides could already have a feel and an idea of what to expect in this fiery encounter.
‘Fax were put to the test against Dewsbury in the opening round but will be looking to go back-to-back when they make the short trip.
Bradford are boosted by the return of powerhouse John Davies, and Halifax will welcome Kieran Hudson and Jack Smith, who join the Panthers on dual-registration from Leeds Rhinos.
In Featherstone a Challenge Cup Round 5 rematch will take place, and with some rainy weather conditions forecast, could we see Round 2…literally?
Championship heavyweights Rovers and Trinity can’t get enough of one another in 2024 – this year being the first year they have faced each other competitively since 1998.
Featherstone emerged victors in the cup round, as a classic game and bruising battle unfolded between the two sides. A Gareth Gale match-winner in golden-point would clinch a memorable victory for the hosts in terribly muddy conditions and pouring rain – and Trinity will be determined to enact revenge in Round 2 following this early Challenge Cup exit.
Ky Rodwell, Trinity's new recruit from NRL's Parramatta Eels, could also be in contention to make his debut on Good Friday.
Over the Pennines, Widnes will look to make it two wins on the spin when they welcome Swinton Lions to the DCBL Stadium. It’s another home game for the Vikings, who will be hoping to capitalise on their strong win against Barrow.
The Lions pulled off an emphatic win against Widnes in the recent 1895 Cup group stages, but can they repeat this once again? Meanwhile, Allan Coleman will hope his Vikings can register a win against his former side and start a winning streak, as he names an unchanged 21-man squad.
It’s another away day for Barrow, as they travel across Cumbria to face Whitehaven. The Cumbrian derby never disappoints, and there’s little to separate the sides in recent years with a series of eye-catching encounters having taken place, so a thriller is expected.
And fans are in for a treat on Easter Sunday, as York Knights versus Toulouse Olympique will be streamed live on SuperLeague+ from the LNER Community Stadium (K.O. 3pm). It’s the first taste of televised Championship action in 2024 and two of the league’s big names will go head-to-head in a blistering contest, hoping to claim the first wins of the season having fallen short in Round 1.
There's no on-the-day price rise and just for £4.95, this match will be available exclusively on SuperLeague+. More details can be found here.
Who will take the spoils in Round 2 against their rivals?
Betfred Championship Round 2 fixtures:
Widnes Vikings v Swinton Lions
Doncaster RLFC v Sheffield Eagles
Whitehaven RLFC v Barrow Raiders
Dewsbury Rams v Batley Bulldogs
Featherstone Rovers v Wakefield Trinity
Bradford Bulls v Halifax Panthers
York Knights v Toulouse Olympique (SuperLeague+)
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship and all of the relevant information and kick-off times can be found here.
Photo Credit: Doncaster RLFC
