AHEAD of today’s two Betfred Championship play-off semi-finals, we break down what the remainder of the season looks like for Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique, Wakefield Trinity and York Knights.
Second-placed Toulouse will host third-placed Bradford in the South of France, looking to replicate what they did 12 months ago, beating this afternoon’s visitors 38-20 in the 2023 semis.
As it stands, it looks as if the two sides will just miss out on Super League next year, with the general expectation being that Toulouse will come 13th and Bulls 14th in the IMG Rankings later this month, with only the top 12 playing in the top flight in 2025.
That being said, a Grand Final win for either, given 25 per cent of the grade is based on performance, could change things.
Also, would you fancy being the RFL and having to deal with the fall out if the well-supported Bulls win the Championship and don’t get to go up?
The other semi final sees runaway league leaders Wakefield host fourth-placed York at Belle Vue.
Both sides are in a slightly surreal situation heading into their game, with Trinity looking extremely likely to be a Super League side next season, regardless of what happens in the play-offs.
Conversely, York have no chance of reaching the top flight, even if they “pull a London Broncos” like their friends from the capital in last season’s play-offs.
Whether that is fair or not, that’s open for debate.
In terms of the format for the Grand Final next weekend, in simple terms, it will be played at the ground of the side who finished highest in the regular season.
In terms of possibilities, a Wakefield final against either Toulouse or Bradford would be played at Belle Vue.
If Toulouse and York make the final, then the Knights are off to the Stade Ernest-Wallon for the showpiece.
And just six years on from the pair being in League 1, a shock final between Bulls and York would be played at Odsal.
There has been no official confirmation as yet whether that game will be played on Saturday, October 19, or Sunday, October 20, with the date and time likely to be announced once both semi-finals have been played.
Digital subscribers will be able to enjoy the T&A's minute-by-minute coverage of the Bulls' crucial game in France.
Reporter Harry Williams will be in France to cover the match and all the post-result interviews.
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