Featherstone the bookmakers favourites to top Championship in 2022
Last year’s Championship Grand Final runners-up Featherstone have been named as the favourites to finish top in 2022.
Featherstone were the frontrunners in 2021, along with eventual champions Toulouse. Their only regular season defeat came against the French side before defeat in the Million Pound Game.
Leigh, who suffered relegation from Super League last season, are second favourites with bookmakers Sky Bet.
Halifax, York, Bradford and full-time outfit Newcastle are also available from 10/1 to 16/1.
If that completes the play-off places, Widnes and London Broncos are predicted to be just outside at around 20 and 25 to one.
Batley, Whitehaven and Dewsbury are all available at longer odds, at 40, 60 and 66 to one.
The longest odds, all at over 100 to one, are Barrow, Sheffield and Workington.
Full list of odds
Featherstone Rovers – 6/5
Leigh Centurions – 2/1
Halifax Panthers – 10/1
York City Knights – 12/1
Bradford Bulls – 14/1
Newcastle Thunder – 16/1
Widnes Vikings – 20/1
London Broncos – 25/1
Batley Bulldogs – 40/1
Whitehaven – 66/1
Dewsbury Rams – 80/1
Barrow Raiders – 100/1
Sheffield Eagles – 125/1
Workington Town – 150/1
Championship start dates
The Championship is due to start again on 22nd January, as newcomers Leigh welcome Whitehaven to the Leigh Sports Village.
Most of the games take place on Sunday, starting with Newcastle’s trip to Workington Town. Also, Barrow welcome Sheffield, Batley face Halifax, Dewsbury host Bradford.
London also host Widnes in the first rugby league match since their move to Plough Lane, home of football side AFC Wimbledon.
To round off the round, York welcome Featherstone in the first Monday night match. It is part of the new TV deal with Premier Sports.
Summer Bash won’t be at Blackpool in 2022
The RFL has confirmed that the Championship’s Summer Bash in 2022 will not be at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road.
Although no reason has been given, the scheduled weekend clashes with the early start of the Football League season.
The EFL is due to get underway on July 30/31, the same weekend as the Summer Bash, to accommodate the World Cup in Qatar.
It is expected that it will be hosted at Headingley, the home of Super League giants Leeds.
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