Cumbria’s delight in having all three professional clubs in the Championship next year isn’t going to last long – according to a prominent website that follows the sport.
Serious About Rugby League writer Callum Walker has been analysing the teams in the Championship and believes Barrow and Workington Town are in for a swift return to League One.
He has those two sides in the relegation positions with Whitehaven, despite last season’s fine sixth-place finish, a place above the drop.
He has the final standings as: Leigh, Featherstone, Halifax, York, Newcastle, Bradford, Batley, Widnes, London, Sheffield, Dewsbury, Whitehaven, Barrow, Workington.
In what he says promises to be one of the most exciting Championship seasons to date, at least half a dozen sides will be battling for promotion to Super League in 2022.
Of Whitehaven, he says: “The Cumbrian side finished sixth in 2021, but they have lost their main go-to man in Louis Jouffret to rivals Halifax.
“That has almost left Haven rudderless, with the departure of top scorer Lachlan Walmsley also likely to affect their strike power out wide too. They will still be too good to get relegated, though a play-off charge looks less likely in 2022.”
League One champions Barrow are considered as follows – “I fancy Barrow to finish above Workington due to the way in which the Cumbrian side eased to promotion in 2021.
“However, I don’t fancy the Raiders’ chances of staying in the Championship in 2022. That being said, Barrow have signed some good recruits in Wakefield’s Josh Wood and Oldham’s Danny Langtree.”
Which leaves his thoughts on Workington – “The newly-promoted sides generally struggle in their first season in a new division – with the exception of Newcastle Thunder of course.
“However, Workington Town showed the mettle and determination to make it to the second tier when the odds were stacked against them. Town have signed Alex Clegg and Evan Simons from Newcastle which will enhance their chances of staying up, but it could be a struggle.”
So why has he gone for Leigh to bounce back from last season’s relegation?
He writes: “It was a major thought process behind separating Leigh and Featherstone for the top spot, but the former just sneaks it.
“Owner Derek Beaumont has put together a formidable side consisting of Super League and NRL experience, with head coach Adrian Lam voted Super League Coach of the Year just two seasons ago.
“Chris Chester, as head of rugby, will be the figure behind the scenes, whilst new signings such as Caleb Aekins, Tom Amone, Jy Hitchcox and Joe Wardle are all Super League quality.
“Lam and Chester could well be the dynamic duo to send the Centurions back to the top flight.”
As always time will tell. But the Cumbrian sides in particular will be keen to show Mr Walker is well off the mark.
