I keep hearing that Leigh will be taking a few of the younger lads from Wigan as there will be no reserve team. Good for the lads to get a bit of toughening up but not great for the team to be dependant on scraps.

Like we (Leigh) found out early part of last season, muddy pitches can become a really leveller.

1. Toronto
2. Toulouse
3. Widnes
4. Halifax
5. Featherstone
6. Leigh
7. Batley
8. Sheffield
9. Bradford
10. York
11. Dewsbury
12. Barrow
13. Rochdale
14. Swinton

Hopefully no Championship Franchise owners get upset by Schofields predictions? Still plenty of teeth grinding up here after his accurate appraisal of Horlicks FC.

1. Toronto
2. Widnes
3. Toulouse
4. Halifax
5. Bradford
6. Leigh
7. Featherstone
8. Sheffield
9. Batley
10. York
11. Dewsbury
12. Barrow
13. Rochdale
14. Swinton

You won't be far off with that.

It has to be or should be the most profiled championship to date, I don't think Widnes will be far off but Toronto's strength will see them through. Glad to have the Widnes V Leigh rivalry back

x2.

Though it's not nailed on that TWP will breeze through the play offs. This is RL after all - what price another side with slim hopes of competing in SL and with a low fan base getting the jump on them once more?

Whatever, it looks like being a vibrant comp again & am looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

Widnes have Toronto away first game of this season, in NEWCASTLE. Hopefully catch them off guard early on but it's all about the play offs end of season. widnes 1-13 will be able to challenge for promotion but once we get injuries, we don't have sufficient quality to bring in, TWP have. Bradford are a bit of an unknown but will get great crowds so i wont be surprised to see them make the play offs. I'm not a fan of expansion but if TWP to up this year i hope for the sake of the game that they last it out. Some great rugby teams from the heartland: Leigh, Widnes, Halifax, Featherstone, Bradford who just cannot compete financially with the likes of the canadians.

If SL does eventually continue to go in the way of expansion with the likes of Catalans, Toulouse, London and Toronto, I'd be happy starting a break off championship league

Please do.

2019 is set to be an even better Championship competition than 2018. Sky are missing a trick by not showing games during the regular season. Their choice, but Championship games present a different angle to the game. Maybe not as "professional" in terms of error count compared to SL, but still a great spectacle for TV viewers.

It's not perfect, but we have a somewhat sensible P&R option (the only way that TWP/TO and others can join SL now) that genuinely gives the better Championship sides a chance to elevate themselves.

FWIW, Fax have made some astute signings, and have (arguably) the best team spirit in the top two divisions, as well as a 30-strong squad (more than most in the Championship, due to continued investment in reserves), and will be a genuine threat to the likes of TWP, TO and Widnes.

Totally agree with this. With SL having dwindling tv viewers for their “5 drives and a kick” no wonder people are switching off. Last year’s championship was so much more exciting . Shame it’s not getting more tv time this year

Toronto
Toulouse
Widnes
Fax
Leigh
Bradford
Sheffield
Fev
York
Batley
Barrow
Rochdale
Dewsbury
Swinton

Almost completely agree, but I think Bradford will be above Leigh, sitting in 6th.

But maybe Leigh will be above Featherstone, based on current squads?

So many close games in prospect next season if you discount Toronto. Really looking forward to it.

I don't think so because Featherstone has astutely bought some exciting PNG talent, who will outplay their Leigh equivalents.

A lot of PNG players have flattered to deceive in the British game....just ask Widnes

Got a couple of good youngsters from Leeds too and if Leeds’ first team avoid the injuries of 2018 then will get a couple more on D/R. Harry Newman in particular did great there last year and could do even better with another year under his belt along with some of the forwards that featured for England Academy recently.

We'll see Jean. There is always the chance that the PNG boys won't settle in the wilds of Yorkshire. Also, the Featherstone squad is light on numbers. (although so is Leigh's)

Harry Newman was outstanding for Featherstone - certainly against Leigh. However, Leigh have picked up three good youngsters from Wigan, and one from Huddersfield. Also, Leigh will be able to call on some of St Helens' talent, should the rumoured D/R agreement take off.

I hate agreeing with him, but i think he's right on the top 4