First of all, my apologies for the lack of content posted over the last few weeks. As you can probably appreciate, these few months are pretty fallow when it comes to news and developments, as clubs start to come back together in anticipation of a new season. So I’ve pulled together this round-up of news and developments over the last few weeks to keep us going until the New Year. If more things happen, I’ll write a follow-up in due course.

There’ll be nothing here about the financial situation at Salford, as that has had its own article, which you can read here.

Fixtures Released!

2025 Fixtures for all three professional leagues of rugby league have been announced, giving fans dates for their diaries to begin the countdown to the new season. Super League will kick off its thirtieth season with ‘The Battle of the Borough’ as Wigan Warriors begin their title defense by hosting local rivals Leigh Leopards on Thursday, February 13th. Fellow Grand Finalists Hull KR will launch their season at home to Castleford Tigers the next night, Friday, February 14th.

Super League Round One Fixtures:

Thursday, February 13th:

• Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards (8pm)

Friday, February 14th:

• Hull KR vs Castleford Tigers (8pm)
• Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC (8pm)

Saturday, February 15th:

• Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity (3pm)
• St Helens vs Salford Red Devils (5.30pm)

Sunday, February 16th:

• Huddersfield Giants vs Warrington Wolves (3pm)

Sky Sports will once again be showing all Super League games live in 2025, either on its main channels or via Sky Sports+, with games also being available on Super League+, and a few on BBC Sport, starting with the St Helens vs Salford game on the Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the Championship, relegated side London Broncos will begin life back in the second tier with a trip to Odsal, as they face Bradford Bulls away, meanwhile, new boys Oldham and Hunslet will play York at home, and Barrow away, respectively. With the league now being reduced to thirteen, each round will see one team receive a bye, with Batley enjoying the week off in round one.

Championship Round One Fixtures:

Sunday, February 16th (all 3pm KOs):

• Barrow Raiders vs Hunslet RLFC
• Bradford Bulls vs London Broncos
• Featherstone Rovers vs Doncaster RLFC
• Sheffield Eagles vs Halifax Panthers
• Oldham RLFC vs York Knights
• Bye: Batley Bulldogs

Last but by no means least, we come to League One. New faces Goole Vikings will start life in the professional ranks with a home tie against the Midlands Hurricanes, whilst two of the sides relegated from the Championship last season will clash in the first round with Swinton Lions facing Whitehaven at home, with the third relegated side, Dewsbury, being at home to North Wales Crusaders. Like the Championship, each round sees one team receive a bye, with Newcastle being the first side to miss a week.

League 1 Round One Fixtures:

Sunday, February 23rd (all 3pm KOs)

• Dewsbury Rams vs North Wales Crusaders
• Goole Vikings vs Midlands Hurricanes
• Rochdale Hornets vs Keighley Cougars
• Swinton Lions vs Whitehaven RLFC
• Workington Town vs Cornwall RLFC
• Bye: Newcastle Thunder

New Contract for Hurrell

Saints centre Konrad Hurrell has signed a new one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, with the former Tonga international recovering well from his season-ending neck injury he picked up in July. 2025 will mark his fourth season with the Saints, after moving in 2020 from the Leeds Rhinos, he’ll be looking to add to his Super League and World Club Challenge winners medal he’s picked up whilst wearing the famous ‘Red V’ in 2025.

Hull FC Takeover Imminent

It was announced this past month that Adam Pearson would be selling Hull FC to businessmen Andrew Thirkill and David Hood after entering into a exclusivity period with the pair. Pearson has owned Hull FC for 13 years, and will remain at the club in a consultancy role. Thirkill’s future son-in-law Richie Myler will remain in his post as Director of Rugby to help oversee the on-field matters. Meanwhile at Hull FC, Liam Tindall, Morgan Smith, and Jack Walker were all released from their contracts.

The Robins Go Dutch!

In preparation for their ‘Amsterdam Challenge’ match against York Knights in January, Hull KR have revealed a striking new line of merchandise reminicsent of the famous 1988 Netherlands football shirt, worn by the only Dutch team to win international silverwear. The warm-up shirt, which was strictly limited to a run of 500, is already close to selling out, and is another example of the club’s fruitful partnership with kit manufacturer Oxen. Elsewhere for Hull KR, reigning Man of Steel Mikey Lewis was on hand to switch on Hull’s Christmas lights last week. The star half-back joined Santa and the Lord Mayor to push the button, lighting up Hull just as he has lit up Super League pitches.

Wheelchair Lions Slain

In our final bit of news for this piece, the England Wheelchair Rugby League team were narrowly beaten by France this past week. England, who beat Spain earlier last week, were bested 32-28 by the French, who, as a result of their victory, won the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy on homke soil in Normandy. 28 of France’s 32 points were scored by Nicolas Clausells, who scored four tries and six goals to inspire his country to victory.

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

Sources: Konrad Hurrell Contract Extension: https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2024/11/18/konrad-hurrell-extends-with-saints-for-2025/, Adam Pearson Statement: https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2024/11/13/club-statement-13th-november/, Wheelchair Match Report: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63292/france-wheelchair-defeat-england-in-fassolette-kielty-trophy