Round 3 of the Betfred Championship is on the horizon, as four teams look to maintain their 100% record. Six teams already have one win under their belt, with four more teams still searching for their first win in 2024.
It’s a home opener for Toulouse Olympique on Saturday – their first outing at Stade Ernest Wallon this year. They welcome Swinton Lions, a side they beat 26-6 on home soil in 2023, although the Lions did triumph in the reverse fixture.
Swinton are without a win heading into this game however, whereas Toulouse may have momentum from last weekend’s victory against York Knights, a game which was streamed live on SuperLeague+, and will look to go back-to-back.
Barrow Raiders will also look to pick up points in their home opener against York Knights having suffered two defeats on the road. Similarly, the Knights will be keen to obtain their first two points of the season, having also experienced losses in the opening two rounds.
It is the Knights who have won the last seven meetings against the Raiders, but who will record their first win of the season on Sunday?
Whitehaven, the second representatives of Cumbria in the Championship competition, are also at home this weekend and will play hosts to Mark Aston's Sheffield Eagles.
Both sides remain unbeaten in 2024, but who will continue their winning run, and who will possibly be consigned to their first defeat of the campaign?
It’s a trip to Doncaster for Wakefield Trinity, who haven’t played at the Eco-Power Stadium since 2011 – in a Round 4 Challenge Cup match which saw Trinity ease to a 10-50 victory.
The Dons have enjoyed a strong start to life in the second tier following their promotion, with a convincing home win over York in Round 1 and a narrow loss to rivals Sheffield last weekend.
With home advantage in Round 3, Doncaster will be relishing the chance to test themselves against a top side and have already proved they can compete and challenge with the best so far.
But can they overcome Daryl Powell’s men to register back-to-back home wins, or will Wakefield continue their perfect start?
There’s plenty of action taking place in West Yorkshire as two Championship heavyweights go head-to-head in a fierce West Yorkshire derby. Featherstone are at home again, and this time it’s to Bradford Bulls, where the Bulls are seeking their first away win against James Ford’s men since 2015.
Featherstone will be looking to bounce back following a defeat to neighbours Wakefield on Good Friday, whereas Bradford will look to claim their second consecutive win of the season.
And if selected, powerhouse and former Featherstone man John Davies could be set to face his former club for the first time. It's set to be a thriller!
Meanwhile, Halifax Panthers play hosts Batley Bulldogs at The Shay, in what will be their first meeting since last year’s dramatic AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final.
Who can forget the late drama unfolding at Wembley Stadium…the Panthers holding off a Batley comeback to claim a famous win.
And fans are able to relive this experience through Halifax Panthers' exclusive documentary series 'Remember Your Why' - released late last year.
For just £18.95, fans can enjoy a five part exclusive documentary series featuring never before seen, behind the scenes footage and interviews from Halifax Panthers RLFC's journey to Wembley. Click here to purchase and here to watch Episode 1 on Halifax's official YouTube channel.
Where the league is concerned, it was one a piece last year, with a series of tight encounters in recent seasons, so fans should expect another close contest in what is arguably one of the stand out ties of the round.
Will Halifax make it two from two or can the Bulldogs finally kick-start their season with a win in Round 3?
And can Dewsbury back up their brilliant win over Batley last weekend? It was an emphatic performance in Round 2 by the Rams, who came away with the spoils in the Heavy Woollen Derby. Likewise, Widnes also came away with a Good Friday win and will be looking to make it three from three in Round 3.
The sides last met in the 2023 Challenge Cup competition, where Dewsbury won comfortably 32-12, but what will Sunday's outcome be?
Betfred Championship Round 3 fixtures:
Toulouse Olympique v Swinton Lions
Barrow Raiders v York Knights
Whitehaven RLFC v Sheffield Eagles
Doncaster RLFC v Wakefield Trinity
Halifax Panthers v Batley Bulldogs
Featherstone Rovers v Bradford Bulls
Dewsbury Rams v Widnes Vikings
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship and all of the relevant information and kick-off times can be found here.
Photo Credit: TCF Photography and Dewsbury Rams
