RFL Statement - West Wales Raiders

The RFL have announced West Wales Raiders will no longer compete in the Betfred League 1 for 2023.

In a statement, the RFL said: "The Raiders informed the RFL yesterday (Wednesday 21 December) they would be unable to compete in 2023.  

At a meeting with the RFL this morning, League 1 clubs agreed each team will play 18 fixtures – nine at home and nine away – and that rounds originally scheduled for matches against West Wales Raiders would become blank weekends for respective clubs. 

The introduction of loop fixtures to avoid blank weekends was considered, however with a full 22-round fixture list already announced it was felt that it would be too disruptive to redraw the fixture list. 

Additionally, with the top team in the table securing automatic promotion it was felt that the introduction of loop fixtures might benefit some clubs whilst compromising the promotion prospects of others. 

Raiders’ withdrawal from the Betfred Challenge Cup will allow the invitation to two additional teams from the Impact Performance National Conference League – Barrow Island and Crosfields – to join the First Round draw at Wembley next month.

The RFL plans to hold discussions with Wales Rugby League early in the New Year regarding a more sustainable and effective approach to the promotion and development of the sport in South Wales."

Rochdale Hornets would like to wish everyone associated with West Wales Raiders all the best during this time of sadness. 

As a result of The Raiders' withdrawal, Hornets will now only play nine league home matches this season. Our Betfred League 1 campaign gets underway against Doncaster on 5 March at the Crown Oil Arena.