I don't know as much about the second division as I would like. It is an eclectic mix of clubs, some with Super League ambitions, others happy to be in the Championship and not expecting anything more. Others simply hoping to avoid the drop. So a run down of the teams for 2022 is in order. I write this three rounds into the season.
Survival: The two Cumbrian sides would be in this category. Workington was promoted from last season and this is effectively Whitehaven's second season, the first one not exceptional. The London Broncos were in Super League as recently as 2019 but a cut in finance means staying at this level would be the priority at this stage. Dewsbury is another that would be happy to be here in 2023.
Middle Ground: Some of the sides here have been in the Championship for a while time but are yet to seriously push for promotion. Halifax (since 2004 in this league and at this juncture not going up), Sheffield (arrived in 2007) and Batley (2002 and before that in an extended league). This is Newcastle's second season at this level so still a work in progress. Bradford and York have played in just three full seasons so not ready to entertain anything more than further consolidation.
SL hopefuls: Featherstone has been in the Championship every year since 2008 and hot favourites to move up. I think they deserve to. Widnes and Leigh both enjoyed recent spells in SL and will be in the mix at the end of the season. I'd put Barrow in the dark horse category. Probably unlikely to be promoted but they seem to have assembled a decent squad.
Summary: I hope that covers the clubs reasonably well. I'm sure there are those who would question some of my opinions and nothing is black and white. However, it looks to be an interesting competition.
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