With the Super 8s approaching, sides are beginning to discover their fate for the second half of the season – and this weekend will go a long way to determining the futures of many sides across all three tiers of the professional structure. Here’s what can and can’t happen this weekend.
Super League
Hull have already confirmed a top-four spot ahead of the Super 8s, but Wigan, Warrington and Catalans could all join them come Sunday night.
Wakefield know a win at home to St Helens on Sunday sees them guaranteed to be in the top eight come the split. A win for Castleford would also do the same for the Tigers.
In the bottom four, Leeds would definitely be in the Qualifiers if they lose to Widnes, with a win for the Vikings also securing Salford’s fate if they fail to beat Castleford on Friday. If Widnes and Castleford win, defeat for Hull KR on Friday also consigns them to a second consecutive year in the Qualifiers.
Championship
Victory for Leigh against Bradford coupled with a London defeat this weekend ensures the Centurions will once again finish the regular season on top. London know that if Leigh beat Bradford, they simply have to avoid defeat to confirm their place in the Qualifiers and the race for promotion to Super League.
The destiny of Halifax, Batley and Bradford will all roll into next week irrespective of what happens in their fixtures this weekend – but the Bulls could end the weekend three points adrift of the top four with just six left to play for.
Should Oldham win at Sheffield on Friday, Workington would need to win at Featherstone on Sunday to have any chance of avoiding finishing bottom heading into the Championship Shield.
League One
Toulouse, York, Rochdale, Doncaster, Barrow and Keighley are all in the top eight no matter what happens in the final two weeks of fixtures.
London Skolars know one more win from their last two games gets them in the League One Super 8s also, whilst Hunslet simply have to win their one remaining league fixture to get in.
If either side slip up, the door opens for both North Wales Crusaders and Newcastle Thunder – but they have to win their last two games and hope one of the Skolars and/or the Hawks lose their remaining league fixtures.
All clear?
