OPPOSITION GUIDE | SHEFFIELD EAGLES

AHEAD of this Sunday's Betfred Championship season opener, we preview our hosts, Sheffield Eagles.

Formbook

- Kicking off the 2021 Betfred Championship Campaign, Bradford Bulls travel to Doncaster, to face the Sheffield Eagles in the round one fixture.

- Sheffield come into this fixture with victory in their sights after a loss to York City Knights last time out, in the Betfred Challenge Cup.

The Squad

- Mark Aston’s side boast an impressive Championship squad, with veteran halfback Anthony Thackeray being a standout name, the former Featherstone man leading Sheffield to an impressive seventh place finish in 2019.

- The South Yorkshire side also added former Batley prop Tyler Dickinson and winger Jack Render, as they looked to bolster their squad.

The Coach

- Former Sheffield player, Mark Aston takes the reigns at the Eagles, where he also spent eight years as a player.

- The Lance Todd trophy winner won the Challenge Cup under the leadership of now Bradford Bulls coach John Kear at Sheffield Eagles, in the famous final where they beat Wigan Warriors.

Connections

- As previously stated above, Bradford Bulls head coach John Kear, spent a number of successful years at Sheffield Eagles, winning them the Challenge Cup in a huge upset, and coaching them in Super League.

- Matt James, who used to play for the Bulls, will also be expected to feature for Sheffield this weekend.

The Stadium

- Sheffield Eagles play their home games at The Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, after moving from the Olympic Legacy Park in the off season.

- The last visit to this stadium, was when the Bulls faced Doncaster in 2018, a game in which they ran out 6-32 winners.

Previous affairs

- During 2019, Bradford Bulls played Sheffield twice, with one victory and a loss to our name.

- However, in the last two home fixtures against the Eagles, we defeated them 30-10 at Odsal Stadium in 2019 and 28-0 at the Tetley’s Stadium, in 2020.

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