Oldham to take on Championship clubs

Oldham will play against three Championship clubs in pre-season friendlies ahead of the new Championship 1 season that kicks off on Sunday March 2.

The Roughyeds will travel to Barrow on February 2, before home games against Swinton (February 9) and Leigh (February 15).

Their first league game is a trip to Neath to face South Wales Scorpions.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “The Leigh game will put the finishing touches to a pre-season programme that will test our boys in every sense.

“Leigh have been one of the strongest clubs in the Championship over the last few years, always with a big squad and always with sound back-up from a very competitive second string.

“They open their league campaign on the same weekend, so the team that comes to Whitebank will comprise those first-team squad members who are not on senior duty plus leading lights from their talented under-20s squad.

“It will be a quality side, make no mistake.”