London Skolars +28 @1.91 (3pts) with Skybet v Celtic Crusaders

Skolars had an exceptional victory last week at higher division Sheffield where they didn't just win, they really put the Eagles to the sword. Confidence must have rocketed after that and they now meet a Celtic side who are superior to Sheffield but where the start here looks very high. Celtic have already beaten Skolars away by 16pts but it is fair to say that the Skolars have improved since then. My tissue had Celtic by 18.5pts which on reflection may be a touch low but for me 28pts is worth the wager.

York +12 @1.91 (3pts) with Supersoccer v Gateshead

These two met in the opening round and Gateshead went away with a shock victory. Since then, however, York have been steadily improving culminating in a fine draw against Featherstone last weekend. I don't see the same improvement in Gateshead and it could be argued that their form has gone backwards. I see a very close encounter. The biggish start will be helped by forecast poor weather conditions. My tissue had Gateshead -4.5pts.

Catalans +20 @1.91 (3pts) with Supersoccer v Warrington

A very big start for a Catalan side that traditionally do well at Warrington. Warrington have made some shrewd signings and will be contenders this season but already the injury jinx has hit, with them losing Chris Bridge for the season. Warrington beat Hull KR by 1pt last week and they had beaten Catalan by 2pts the week previous if you want a formline so that in itself suggests a close game. My tissue had Catalan +14.5pts.

Whitehaven -10 @1.91 (2pts) with Supersoccer v Keighley

A more marginal call but with all things considered Whitehaven are head and shoulders above Keighley in terms of talent. They have been National league 1 contenders for the last few seasons whilst Keighley are very much in the rebuilding stage in the lower reaches of National League 2. Keighley had to fulfill a midweek fixture that won't have helped their cause with the only nagging factor for me being the poor weather that makes things difficult to cover the starts. Whitehaven -16.5 was my idea of the correct handicap.

Batley -24 @ 1.91 (3pts) with Bet365 or Supersoccer v Hunslet

In the reverse fixture Batley scored over 60pts, yet they now play at home and the handicap is in the mid twenties. I am struggling to see why. It's true that Hunslet have put up a couple of creditable shows at home against Dewsbury and Gateshead but they are arguably the worst team in professional rugby and will struggle to put back to back performances together. Usually when these poor teams travel it brings out the worst in them. My tissue was +34.5pts.

Harlequins -4 @1.91 (3pts) with Coral or Skybet v Castleford

Castleford will have targetted this game as a must win fixture but I'm afraid all the evidence points the other way. These two were fancied to be battling at the bottom but the 'Quins have got off to a bright start and showed that they have Super League quality in the likes of Paul, Hill, Mclinden and Purdham. "Cas" on the other hand have a wafer thin squad that is starting to look out of its depth. Creditable performances against Catalan and Wigan were followed by a thrashing at Huddersfield and to me they lack quality. I'm not sure they know how to win a game. My mark was Cas +8.

The Man