Fax set for a capital clash
Published Date:
26 September 2008
By James Roberts
HALIFAX look likely to warm up for the 2009 National League campaign against exclusively top flight opposition.
The club today confirmed one pre season date - a trip to London to play Harlequins on Sunday, January 25 - and will also host Huddersfield in the traditional Infirmary Cup clash on Sunday, January 4, subject to Rugby Football League approval.
Courier Sport also understands that negotiations are continuing with another, as yet unnamed, Super League club with the aim of securing a third and final friendly fixture.
If all three matches get the green light, it would be the first time since Fax's relegation from the game's top table in 2003 that they have not played a National League club in pre season.
The clash with Quins, who finished 10th in Super League this year, six points off the play offs, was apparently initiated by the capital outfit, who are coached by Fax boss Matt Calland's former Bradford Bulls teammate Brian McDermott.
"We have a good relationship with Quins, particularly between Matt and Brian McDermott, and we are happy to accept their invitation," said Fax chief executive Graham Clay.
"The plan is to spend the weekend in London and use the time together as a mini-training camp culminating in the game at the Stoop on the Sunday.
"Testing ourselves against Super League opposition will be ideal preparation for a tough National League season."
Clay confirmed the the club would be organising overnight travel packages for supporters wanting to travel to the Stoop.
Warrington have confirmed they have released forwards Rob Parker and Andy Bracek to make way for new signing Garreth Carvell.
Parker, 27, who has made 27 appearances this year, is in talks with Salford while the 21-year-old Bracek, who joined the club from St Helens in 2004, is set to move to the engage Super League's other new boys Celtic Crusaders although he has also been heavily linked with National League outfit Barrow.
Parker has two Super League, a Challenge Cup and World Cup Challenge medals from his time with Bradford and captained England to the European Nations Cup title in 2004.
Both Parker and Bracek were under contract for 2009 but Warrington needed to act to remain under the salary cap following the capture of Great Britain prop Carvell from Hull and they say the duo have left by mutual agreement.
Meanwhile, Warrington have appointed former Wakefield and Wigan stand-off Nigel Wright as assistant to head coach James Lowes.
Wright, 34, joins the Wolves from Wakefield where he was in charge of the reserves.
The full article contains 434 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
26 September 2008 8:21 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Halifax