Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.
Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.
The big kick-off
THE
2018 season is one for Championship clubs to stand as tall off the field as
they always do on it.
This is a time of great potential
change in rugby league, following the exit of Nigel Wood and the uncertainty around
the sport’s structure beyond this season.
Then there is the huge elephant in the
room of the Super League clubs wanting to take more of the TV money back for
themselves.
All of this at a time when the
Championship looked to be finally achieving some of its key objectives.
That pathway to the top is relatively
clear and is decided, as it should be, on the field.
There is also the central funding in
the competition to ensure relegation is not the financial disaster it once was,
not least this season with Leigh receiving an additional parachute payment.
Because of both of these factors, the
Championship is able to accommodate full-time teams, a key necessity if
promotion and relegation is to continue.
There are still issues in the
competition, not least the disparity in central funding - crucial to bridge
that Super League gap, but making it tough for the teams at the bottom end to
compete.
But it’s something that
can be bridged given the right coach and playing staff, as the likes of
part-time Batley, Featherstone and Halifax have proved in recent years by
making the Qualifiers.
As this column has regularly
highlighted, a strong second tier can be hugely beneficial to the game as a
whole, and strides have been made towards that in the last three years.
Whether this exact structure stays in
place remains to be seen, but it has had some important benefits for the clubs
involved and provided excitement on the field.
As such, those that understand that
should fight as hard as possible to retain funding and opportunity when any
reshuffle is eventually discussed and decided.
On the playing front there is much to
look forward to in 2018.
The simmering rivalry between Leigh
and Toronto is the perfect way to kick the season off. Toulouse have made three smart additions to their squad in William
Barthau, Sam Rapira and Eddie Pettybourne and should be well placed to improve
on last year’s
fifth placed finish.
The fourth full-time team London have
had minimal changes to their playing squad and shouldn’t be underestimated,
and there is a queue of part-time sides eager to make an impact.
Featherstone have an experienced and
talented squad, Halifax made the four last year and will be strong again and
both Dewsbury and Batley look capable of progressing in 2018.
Sheffield Eagles are some way behind
most teams in terms of recruitment and preparation but that isn’t new
to coach Mark Aston, and a return to the city is a major boost for the club.
Rochdale and Swinton both defied the
odds by avoiding relegation last season and will believe they can do so again,
while promoted Barrow will add a much-missed Cumbrian dimension to the
competition and, if they can overcome the toughest of starts, are likely to be
difficult to beat.
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