A local rivalry kicks off Round 23 of the Betfred Championship on Saturday as Salford welcome Swinton.
It’s a must-win for the Reds if they are to keep their Play-Off hopes alive.
On Sunday, Midlands are at home to Workington. If the Canes can go back-to-back then they look on course to consolidating eighth spot heading into the Play-Offs in a few weeks’ time.
Oldham host Sheffield and will be hoping to bounce back at the first attempt after Doncaster ended their 16-match winning streak in Round 22.
The Roughyeds beat the Eagles 30-36 in the reverse fixture.
Sheffield enter this game on a winning run of their own, however, having won their last six matches and are just six points behind their third-placed opponents.
Meanwhile, Batley will entertain Newcastle. Second-placed Thunder are heavy favourites to come away victorious, but a Play-Off spot is at stake for the Bulldogs.
Although an unrecognisable Newcastle outfit to the one of last year, Batley will take confidence from that fact that they are undefeated in all eight of their previous home meetings with Thunder.
Similarly, Halifax have won their last 11 home meetings with Barrow, who they will play at the weekend.
That said, the Raiders are flying at the top end of the table and will be aiming to finish as high as they possibly can.
Also on Sunday, the table topping London Broncos play Goole in the capital and could take one step closer to lifting the League Leaders’ Shield with another win.
The Broncos are yet to taste defeat in the 2026 Championship.
Elsewhere, Doncaster have an opportunity to back up their emphatic victory last weekend as they host North Wales Crusaders.
There’s then an important clash between Rochdale and Whitehaven. The Cumbrian side currently occupy the tenth and final Play-Off spot in the table.
Will they be sitting there after Round 23?
Betfred Championship Round 23 fixtures:
Saturday 8 August
Salford RLFC v Swinton Lions (K.O. 2.30pm)
Sunday 9 August
Midlands Hurricanes v Workington Town (K.O. 2pm)
Sunday 9 August - all 3PM KO
Oldham RLFC v Sheffield Eagles
Batley Bulldogs v Newcastle Thunder
Halifax Panthers v Barrow Raiders
Hunslet RLFC v Keighley Cougars
London Broncos v Goole Vikings
Doncaster RLFC v North Wales Crusaders
Rochdale Hornets v Whitehaven RLFC
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
Photo Credit: Sheffield Eagles
