Tough task for Hornets as season opener looms

Sweeping changes intended to revolutionise pro rugby league are going to make Rochdale Hornets already tough task in the Championship even harder as five clubs will be relegated from the division at the end of the season.

This season there remain 14 teams in Super League, 14 in the Championship and nine in Championship One — 37 in all. In 2015, there will be 12 teams in Super League, 12 in the Championship and 13 in Championship One.

To achieve that, two clubs will be relegated from Super League at the end of this season and five from the Championship. One club will be promoted from Championship One.

The return of promotion and relegation between all three divisions from 2015 is seen as a major breakthrough in the restoration of public confidence in the sport.

The fourteen clubs competing in the Championship along with Hornets are Barrow Raiders, Batley Bulldogs, Keighley Cougars, North Wales Crusaders, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax, Leigh Centurions, Sheffield Eagles, Swinton Lions, Whitehaven and Workington Town.

Hornets start their programme on Sunday (16 February) against Sheffield Eagles at Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield.