Widnes first up for Fax

It will give Richard Marshall’s side an early glimpse of the competition’s second favourites, who will be playing their first competitive fixture under new coach Keiron Purtill.

Fax then return to the Shay for their first home fixture against Leigh, with Batley (H) and Featherstone (A) rounding out a demanding opening month.

Other notable fixtures are the home game against Toronto on March 24 - with the return trip to the Lamport Stadium on July 6 - and a Good Friday showdown with derby rivals Bradford Bulls at the Shay.

Marshall is likely to be less impressed with his side’s Easter Monday fixture, with a long-haul trip to Toulouse on the back of a two-day turnaround.

February

3 Widnes (A) 3.0

10 Leigh (H) 3.0

17 Batley (H) 3.0

24 Featherstone (A) 3.0

March

3 Swinton (H) 3.0

10 Dewsbury (H) 3.0

17 York (A) 3.0

24 Toronto (H) 3.0

April

7 Rochdale (A) 3.0

19 Bradford (H) 3.0

22 Toulouse (A) 3.30

28 Sheffield (A) 3.0

May

5 Barrow (H) 3.0

18 Bradford (A) Summer Bash

26 Batley (A) 3.0

June

9 Leigh (A) 3.0

16 Barrow (A) 3.0

23 Bradford (A) 3.0

30 Featherstone (H) 3.0

July

6 Toronto (A) 1.0

14 Widnes (H) 3.0

21 Dewsbury (A) 3.0

August

4 Toulouse (H) 3.0

11 Sheffield (H) 3.0

18 Swinton (A) 3.0

September

1 Rochdale (H) 3.0

8 York (H) 3.0