There is still a mathematical chance of Barrow Raiders staying in the Championship, but we must win in Canada this evening.

The probability of victory against Toronto Wolfpack is unlikely, but stranger things have happened and only last week we witnessed how to overcome adversity and never give in with Cumbrian Ben Stokes showing the way.

If we beat Toronto and Batley next week and Widnes lose to Swinton and Dewsbury, we will survive; it’s as simple as that but to date our trips to Canada have been fraught with difficulties over the last three seasons with visa issues and injuries having a significant impact on the strength of the team taking to the field and this current trip appears to be no different, which is very disappointing.

We have not scored a single try on our three previous visit,s losing 70-2, 26-2 and 64-0, so let’s hope that if we can’t achieve the biggest upset in rugby league history, we can at least score a try.

In our last game a fortnight ago, we were beaten at Sheffield Eagles 44-18. With the Raiders needing a win, they showed resilience from 16-0 down to take the lead in the early stages of the second half 18-16 but the Eagles' quality shone through in the end unbelievably scoring a further 28 points in the last 20 minutes.

With an 1895 Cup final against Widnes on the horizon the following weekend, Sheffield head coach Mark Aston, who has been critical of Barrow in the past confirmed the Eagles were fortunate to come away with nothing more than ‘bumps and bruises.'

He told the local press “I am relieved, you don't want to pick up any serious injuries before a cup final. I think that's luck more than anything else because I am at a loss to the defensive techniques of Barrow.

"I was a little concerned with the nature of the intent of some of the Barrow players, to maim my players. There were incidents that were ugly again as at the Summer Bash through poor tackle techniques and it cringes me.”

Very strong words which didn’t receive a response from Barrow, but the Eagles survived and went on to win the final against favourites Widnes Vikings 36-18 with a terrific second half performance.

Aston is hopeful that the club can now move forward by attracting support from the Sheffield public although Eagles' previous Wembley success, when they shocked Wigan Warriors to win the Challenge Cup 21 years ago, proved a false dawn with the city clearly not interested in rugby league with crowds around the 700 mark.

The empty seats at Wembley for the Challenge cup final wasn’t a good look, with only 62,000 in attendance. The presence of Catalan Dragons couldn’t be used as an excuse this time as two of the country's most popular teams in Warrington and St Helens were taking part.

At least the RFL have finally realised that holding the final on the August bank holiday weekend isn’t a good idea and have moved the date to the 16th July next season.

The 1895 Cup final also needs to be played as a curtain raiser to the final, not after the main event when the majority of spectators have left the stadium.

Perhaps there is also a way of other clubs such as Barrow realising benefit from the Cup final by being allowed to retain the income from tickets sold to Barrow fans, which may encourage several hundred to attend knowing the club would benefit financially.

The RFL are also not happy about Bradford Bulls' decision to leave Odsal and play their rugby at the Tetley's Stadium in Dewsbury for the 2020 season.

The RFL own Odsal and a decision needs to be made about its future. What about turning the venue into a centre of excellence for rugby league and holding future Challenge Cup finals there?