The Friendlies Thread 2025

[The Phantom Horseman]

Fev v Goole takes place at 7.30 this evening, the stream of this game is available to purchase for £6 for anyone who's interested via the 247.tv platform at https://www.247.tv/live/rugbyleague/video/1215403-featherstone-rovers-v-goole-vikings-tuesday-14th-jan-2025-7-30pm

This is the first of what I suspect will be a number of premium streaming platforms for Championship (and perhaps L1 clubs) this season. They will probably appeal more to supporters of the two clubs playing who are unable to attend games, especially away supporters, though might attract the odd neutral too. Pricing will be tricky as they will need to avoid making it too cheap to dissuade fans from attending in person who otherwise would have done so, you'd think it will be at least £10 when the regular season begins.

[Barley Mow]

52 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Fev v Goole takes place at 7.30 this evening, the stream of this game is available to purchase for £6 for anyone who's interested via the 247.tv platform at https://www.247.tv/live/rugbyleague/video/1215403-featherstone-rovers-v-goole-vikings-tuesday-14th-jan-2025-7-30pm

This is the first of what I suspect will be a number of premium streaming platforms for Championship (and perhaps L1 clubs) this season. They will probably appeal more to supporters of the two clubs playing who are unable to attend games, especially away supporters, though might attract the odd neutral too. Pricing will be tricky as they will need to avoid making it too cheap to dissuade fans from attending in person who otherwise would have done so, you'd think it will be at least £10 when the regular season begins.

Do you know if Fev will be doing audio commentary like they have in the past?

[The Phantom Horseman]

1 minute ago, Barley Mow said:

Do you know if Fev will be doing audio commentary like they have in the past?

I am not sure. The RoversTV subscription channel which was run through the website has now been discontinued and the club has switched towards using YouTube  - I think every game from the last few years is now available in full at https://www.youtube.com/@FeatherstoneRoversTV

Whetehr the club will stream every game or just selected ones once the season starts I'm not sure.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Fev 28 Goole 0 at half time, a bit one-sided as you'd expect with this being Goole's first ever game, they have had only one set in Fev's half.  Decent hit-out for both teams so far on a pitch that is still very heavy after all the recent snow/frost etc.

[gazza77]

 

 

[Agbrigg]

56 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

 Decent hit-out for both teams so far on a pitch that is still very heavy after all the recent snow/frost etc.

On the scale of Fev pitch classification, the going would be good to firm.

[The Phantom Horseman]

13 minutes ago, Agbrigg said:

On the scale of Fev pitch classification, the going would be good to firm.

Still having nightmares eh?

[Agbrigg]

2 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Still having nightmares eh?

You are not kiddding, I had everything crossed on the cup draw tonight

[sheddingswasus]

On 10/01/2025 at 09:52, Barley Mow said:

Oldham v Rochdale (Sunday) is off - the clubs are apparently looking for another date to play it.

Now being played on Wednesday 22nd Jan

[gazza77]

 

 

[Just Browny]

Warrington v Widnes is on Friday 17th, 7.30pm kick off at the Halliwell Jones.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Doncaster v Wakefield

Sunday Feb 2nd

Trinity Head To Doncaster For A Friendly - Wakefield Trinity R.L.F.C

[gogledd]

North Wales Crusaders v London Broncos is still on. ...Saturday 18th January. 3pm kick of at Stadiwm Eirias Parc, Colwyn Bay.

[JonM]

17 hours ago, gogledd said:

North Wales Crusaders v London Broncos is still on. ...Saturday 18th January. 3pm kick of at Stadiwm Eirias Parc, Colwyn Bay.

Widnes & Cru made up for the cancelled friendly by having an opposed training session together in midweek. Given the number of currently announced signings at the Broncos, I reckon NWC will be strong favourites for this one.

[JonM]

On 15/01/2025 at 10:27, Just Browny said:

Warrington v Widnes is on Friday 17th, 7.30pm kick off at the Halliwell Jones.

Looks like mostly reserves named by Warrington, although a debut for former England & GB RU Sevens international Alfie Johnson and Thewlis and Ratchford are in the squad.

[fearnowt]

19 hours ago, gogledd said:

North Wales Crusaders v London Broncos is still on. ...Saturday 18th January. 3pm kick of at Stadiwm Eirias Parc, Colwyn Bay.

Think the game might be in doubt with the big water outage in the area. Colwyn Bay FC have a home game tonight which apparently is going ahead, but Eirias Park is being used as an emergency water distribution centre.

The club have just released an update: 

Following ongoing water outages in North Wales, the club is currently working with all parties concerned regarding tomorrow's pre-season fixture against London Broncos, a full update shall be released shortly once arrangements have been finalised.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4882nj01no

[fearnowt]

Venue change

https://nwcrusadersrl.com/venue-change-london-broncos/

[gogledd]

Due to wide spread disruption following ongoing water outages in North Wales, Saturday’s pre-season friendly against London Broncos shall now take place at Robin Park Arena, Wigan, at 2pm.

Having been in communication with Conwy Council and monitored the situation with Welsh Water, the fixture was unable to take place at Stadiwm CSM with water supply expected to still be off or, at best, limited tomorrow.

Given the short notice, the club has made every effort to ensure that the fixture still takes place, and as such the confirmed venue is Robin Park Arena, Wigan.

Tickets purchased for the game shall still be valid with anyone unable to attend due to the venue change asked to email commercial@nwcrusadersrl.com.

Further information regarding hospitality shall be released in the coming hours.

We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Fixture Details:

North Wales Crusaders V London Broncos

Venue: Robin Park Arena, Wigan

Kick Off: 2pm

Tickets: £12 Adults, FREE for Under 16’s

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

16 minutes ago, fearnowt said:

Venue change

https://nwcrusadersrl.com/venue-change-london-broncos/

Can't be helped - at least the team gets a game under their belts before the start of the season.

[The Phantom Horseman]

6 hours ago, JonM said:

Widnes & Cru made up for the cancelled friendly by having an opposed training session together in midweek. Given the number of currently announced signings at the Broncos, I reckon NWC will be strong favourites for this one.

Looking at London's squad, they have named 18 players, I only recognise about 8 of those names and I suspect most if not all of the other 10 are graduates of their recent trials or from their resevres and have no first-grade experience.

I'm sure things will pick up for London especially if the reported new investors come to fruition but it could be ugly for them in the early stages of the season.

Halifax are a bit better off but their squad numbers announced recently only go up to number 20, though they have the not inconsiderable advantage of a DR arrangment with St Helens.

Edited January 17 by The Phantom Horseman

[Barley Mow]

We're not all clear on the postponement/cancellation front yet - Bradford (reserves) v Newcastle on Sunday is cancelled due to a frozen pitch at Odsal.

https://www.totalrl.com/bradford-bulls-forced-to-cancel-pre-season-friendly-due-to-frozen-pitch/

[Archie Gordon]

53 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Looking at London's squad, they have named 18 players, I only recognise about 8 of those names and I suspect most if not all of the other 10 are graduates of their recent trials or from their resevres and have no first-grade experience.

I'm sure things will pick up for London especially if the reported new investors come to fruition but it could be ugly for them in the early satges of the season.

Halifax are a bit better off but their squad numbers announced recently only go up to number 20, though they have the not inconsiderable advantage of a DR arrangment with St Helens.

London's squad is padded out with former academy and Skolars players, plus the Hoists #7, which is obviously why he was missing from their CC team last week. These are not Champo players.

[The Phantom Horseman]

10 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

London's squad is padded out with former academy and Skolars players, plus the Hoists #7, which is obviously why he was missing from their CC team last week. These are not Champo players.

Thanks. I suspect the scoreline from the NW Crusaders game will attract a fair amount of attention, both in the RL media and from those who haven't been paying attention to London's current squad situation.

[fearnowt]

1 hour ago, Chronicler of Chiswick said:

Can't be helped - at least the team gets a game under their belts before the start of the season.

And another venue for home games to add to the collection, I make this the 12th.

[Dullish Mood]

Water shortage in Wales?