Round 14 of the Betfred Championship will kickstart on Friday evening when second-placed Sheffield host Halifax on home soil.
The sides have already met once in 2024, with the Eagles running out at 0-46 victors at The Shay. But a lot has changed since their Round 5 encounter, as a much-improved Panthers find themselves in the mix for a Play-Off place and just two points behind sixth spot.
Expect a full 80 minutes of entertainment!
Saturday will see Toulouse in action at Stade Ernest-Wallon in a blockbuster clash with Bradford Bulls. It’s 3rd v 4th as the race to the Play-Offs is hotter than ever, but which team’s winning streak will come to an end in the south of France?
The French side are currently seven from seven, while Bradford have won their last four matches. The Bulls did triumph 19-12 in the reverse fixture earlier this year, but Toulouse completed a double over their opponents in 2023…
Then, there’s a feast of second tier rugby league in West Yorkshire on Sunday, and all eyes turn to Featherstone’s fixture against Whitehaven.
It was a close contest in Cumbria last time out, and there could be a few nerves present for this game – with the Rovers desperate to return to winning ways.
James Ford’s men currently occupy sixth spot in the league table, but with seven teams underneath rapidly chasing them down, they can ill-afford to miss out on the two points on offer.
Can the Rovers avoid a sixth straight defeat?
Down the road, high-flying Wakefield Trinity will welcome Batley to the DIY Kitchens Stadium. The Bulldogs have found a new lease of life in recent weeks and will look to test themselves once more against the unbeaten table toppers.
A struggling Dewsbury are also at home to Doncaster this weekend. Both teams were promoted to the Championship last season, and while the Dons have well-adjusted to life in this competition, the Rams find themselves rooted to the bottom of the place and eight points from safety.
Dewsbury have won their last four home meetings with Doncaster, but can they pick up a much-needed two points in Round 14?
Wins for Batley and/or Doncaster and a loss for Featherstone would also see the Rovers slip out of the top six for at least one week - so it’s all to play for in West Yorkshire on Sunday!
Meanwhile, York will be out to wreak vengeance on Barrow, following their 15-14 defeat in Round 3. Under Mark Applegarth’s tenure, the Knights are currently two wins from three, and came close against a strong Sheffield side in Round 13.
Barrow, however, have failed to find consistency in this year’s campaign – but are level on league points with the Knights…
Finally, it’s a local derby across the Pennines when Swinton take on Widnes - and it’s one a-piece this year so far.
Betfred Championship Round 14 fixtures:
Sheffield Eagles v Halifax Panthers
Toulouse Olympique v Bradford Bulls
Dewsbury Rams v Doncaster RLFC
Wakefield Trinity v Batley Bulldogs
Featherstone Rovers v Whitehaven RLFC
York Knights v Barrow Raiders
Swinton Lions 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: A. Montsegur and Toulouse Olympique
