2021 Championship Season Commences

The second division of UK RL has commenced, known as the Championship. Fourteen teams compete for the chance to gain entry to the elite Super League competition. One will make it with one side coming down from SL. Of course, this assumes the status quo will apply by season's end. 

This competition is hard to predict, especially for me as I haven't followed it until recently. With that caveat, I will proceed.

Top-notch: My pick to be promoted is the Toulouse Olympique club from France. They have the set-up and backing to make a success of playing at the elite level. Featherstone Rovers are always competing and for such a small town do remarkably well. 

In the running: The York City Knights have ambition, and a nice new stadium so would be a nice fit at the top level. The Widnes Vikings were until recently at the top so one cannot discount them. 

Long shots and no-hopers: Long shots would include the Sheffield Eagles which are a team that has potential as do the Dewsbury Rams. The Batley Bulldogs has a staunch following and a useful side. The Halifax Panthers still have claws so can't be totally written off. The London Broncos want to be a top side again but have work to do.

The no-hopers would be Oldham, Newcastle, Swinton, Whitehaven and Bradford. They aren't bad sides but I don't see them going up. I hope that is a fair assessment. For a taste of what the Championship is about, the brief highlights video above will give you an idea. 

2021 SL Season Commences

Picture from warringtonwolves.com

The UK 2021 professional competition (Super League) season has kicked off. The matches are without crowds for now but hopefully, that situation is not for long. The atmosphere they generate will be missed. So how are teams are likely to go? 

Top-notch: St Helens were the team to beat in 2020 and still will be this season. They have a settled squad that oozes talent. The Wigan Warriors will be in the mix this year again when the business end of the year arrives. These are the two sides that you can bank on unless hit by an horrific injury run. 

In the running: With a new coach at the helm, I like the loom of Hull FC. They have the ability to go far but have not realised their potential. The Warrington Wolves are considered the bridesmaid side, perhaps a bit unfairly. They need to prove the doubters wrong but while they can't be written off, they need to deliver. 

The Leeds Rhinos won the Challenge Cup last year but would like to improve their league and finals results from last season. Down in the south of France, the Catalan Dragons have a useful squad capable of doing great things but extra travel hurts them. Could this be their year?

Long shots and no-hopers: Castleford, Huddersfield and Wakefield will have their good patches but are long shots. I'd classify Salford, Hull KR and Leigh in the no-hopers category and likely to provide a relegated team at the end of the season.  

2021 NRL Season Commences

The 2021 season kicked off and nearly caught me off guard. There are crowds and even an NZ team yet again based in Australia for the foreseeable future. So how are teams are likely to go? I haven't studied the sides that closely so will rely on gut instinct.

Top-notch: Despite losing Cam Smith, the Melbourne Storm will be in the mix at the top end of the table, again. It may be asking too much for them to win the grand final though. The Sydney Roosters have a winning look about them. If they peak at the right time - unlike 2020 - then they look the side to beat. Of course, the Penrith Panthers will be wiser for experiencing an 'almost their year' season in 2020. 

In the running: The Canberra Raiders are a settled side and will surely go well but maybe still lack that something to go all the way. The Parramatta Eels are a threat to any side in top form but can lack consistency. The South Sydney Rabbitohs have class and speed but getting to the grand final is proving elusive. 

Long shots and no-hopers: That's the other ten sides. A few may surprise in the finals or if not at least make up the numbers in the last eight playoffs. Then there is always half a dozen teams that will ultimately lack the class to do more than try to avoid the wooden spoon.