Round 5 of the Betfred Championship is here, as we preview this weekend’s upcoming fixtures…
Toulouse are in action at home to Whitehaven on Saturday, with both teams coming into this match on the back of a disappointing defeat, as they look to right their wrongs of last week.
Toulouse have won all previous eight meetings with Haven by considerable margins and are still seeking their first home win of the 2024 season.
A win for the French side would see them overtake Whitehaven in the league table – a side who already have two wins under their belt this year. Could the visitors come away with the two points, or will the home team triumph?
Batley Bulldogs will look to go back-to-back on Sunday when they welcome current league leaders Wakefield Trinity to town.
This will be their first competitive meeting since 1999, in which they played each other in a Round 4 Challenge Cup tie and Wakefield emerged victors, 12-2.
It could be a tough test for Trinity, where many of their players are yet to experience running up the famous hill at Mount Pleasant (Fox's Biscuits Stadium). Batley, on the other hand, are well accustomed to this, and will be boosted by their hard fought victory last Sunday.
Will Daryl Powell’s men make it five from five, or will the Bulldogs cause a huge upset?
Over at The Shay, Halifax are in action against an unbeaten Sheffield Eagles. It was one a piece last year where the league was concerned, so could be a close one to call this time around.
‘Fax will be hoping to keep up their 100% home record and end the Eagles’ winning run, but Mark Aston’s men will not retreat so easily, as they continue to tussle with Wakefield and Widnes for top spot.
And it is arguably Widnes’ biggest test yet when they travel to Featherstone Rovers for their Round 5 fixture.
The Vikings have enjoyed three out of five home fixtures in 2024 so far but will now have two big asks when they face Featherstone and Bradford in the next two rounds.
The Rovers have won their last five home meetings with the Vikings, with playmaker Connor Jones scoring a try in their last five meetings.
Can Widnes maintain their impressive winning run?
Then, in North Yorkshire, York play hosts to an in-form Bradford Bulls in the LNER Community Stadium. The Knights find themselves without a win rooted to the bottom of the Championship table after five rounds, whereas a rejuvenated Bulls, who have completely revitalised since their Round 1 loss to Wakefield, will look to make it four wins on the spin.
Elsewhere, Swinton will entertain Dewsbury, where both sides are searching for their second win of the season. Barrow will also enjoy home advantage against Doncaster - a place where they remain unbeaten in 2024, as they look to make it three from three home wins and total wins.
Betfred Championship Round 5 fixtures:
Toulouse Olympique v Whitehaven RLFC
Batley Bulldogs v Wakefield Trinity
Halifax Panthers v Sheffield Eagles
Featherstone Rovers v Widnes Vikings
York Knights v Bradford Bulls
Swinton Lions v Dewsbury Rams
Barrow Raiders v Doncaster RLFC
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship and all of the relevant information and kick-off times can be found here.
Photo Credit: Batley Bulldogs
