RFL boss predicts weekend to remember

Rugby League fans are about to experience one of the most exciting Easter schedules in history, claims the RFL, as the sport’s new era enters a pivotal weekend in the 2015 calendar.

The RFL points out that the stakes have never been higher for clubs in the First Utility Super League, Kingstone Press Championship and Kingstone Press League 1, with all 38 teams having everything to play for in the days ahead.

The action kicks off tonight with three compelling fixtures, including the Hull derby which will see over 20,000 fans pack the KC Stadium for Hull FC v Hull Kingston Rovers, and continues tomorrow with another massive crowd at Wigan Warriors v St Helens in front of a sell out crowd.

In the Kingstone Press Championship there are some huge games with Bradford Bulls taking on Halifax in the West Yorkshire derby and Workington Town and Whitehaven going head to head to be crowned Cumbria’s finest.

The Easter weekend also sees the start of the new Kingstone Press League 1 season which includes Coventry Bears’ competition debut at home to Oxford.

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood said: “It’s going to be a weekend to remember for supporters of every club: there really has never been a better time to be involved in Rugby League.

“I would like to thank all the fans who will be turning out in record numbers to show their passion for Rugby League over this Easter period. It’s going to be a terrific weekend in all three competitions.

“As well as the stand out games in Super League, there is plenty of action to look forward to in both Kingstone Press Championship and League 1, where the return of promotion and relegation in the new league structure is already raising the bar.

“The geographical diversity that League 1 brings to the sport is highlighted by Coventry Bears v Oxford, which is a match I’m really looking forward to watching. Coventry were members of the RFL for three seasons from 1910 and their return is both long-overdue and opportune as we enter the new era.

“The Easter Bank Holiday is always one of the most eagerly-anticipated weekends in Rugby League and I’m sure we will see plenty of excitement, skill and drama for us to all enjoy over the next few days.”

The Bank Holiday weekend fixtures are as follows:

Thursday April 2

First Utility Super League

Hull FC v Hull KR 8.00 (Sky Sports)

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Catalans Dragons 8.00

Widnes Vikings v Warringon Wolves 8.00

Friday April 3

First Utility Super League

Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos 12.45 (Sky Sports)

Wigan Warriors v St Helens 3.00 (Sky Sports)

Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils 6.00

Kingstone Press Championship

Hunslet Hawks v Leigh Centurions 2.00

Workington Town v Whitehaven 3.00

Batley Bulldogs v Dewsbury Rams 7.30

Featherstone Rovers v London Broncos 7.30

Bradford Bulls v Halifax 8.00

Kingstone Press League 1

Coventry Bears v Oxford 3.00

Keighley Cougars v York City Knights 3.00

London Skolars v Hemel Stags 3.00

Newcastle Thunder v Barrow Raiders 3.00

Rochdale Hornets v Oldham 3.00

Swinton Lions v North Wales Crusaders 3.00

University of Gloucestershire All Golds v South Wales Scorpions 3.00

Monday April 6

First Utility Super League

Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers 2.45 (Sky Sports)

Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants 3.00

Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 3.00

Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors 3.00

St Helens v Hull FC 3.00

Catalans Dragons v Widnes Vikings 5.00 (Sky Sports)

Kingstone Press Championship

Leigh Centurions v Workington Town 1.30

Dewsbury Rams v Bradford Bulls 3.00

Halifax v Hunslet Hawks 3.00

London Broncos v Batley Bulldogs 3.00

Whitehaven v Doncaster 3.00

Featherstone Rovers v Sheffield Eagles 6.00