The fixture list for the First Division, which starts today, conveniently pits two of the strongest challengers against Leeds, who went down last season, in the opening fortnight. 

Nottingham are first to try their luck at Headingley tomorrow before Leeds, coached by Neil Back after Stuart Lancaster’s elevation to England Saxons, head to Exeter the following week.

The competition may be stronger than the last time the Tykes went down two years ago but, reinvented as Carnegie and with a parachute payment from the Premiership banked, they are in better shape as their pre-season victory over Newcastle showed. 

Leicester target Tom Biggs remains, while Jason Strange joins from Bristol and Henry Paul will come in once his Harlequins rugby league season ends, offsetting the loss of captain Stuart Hooper to Bath. 

“We are in a happy place,” said Back. “This will be a tough challenge, but the fixture list has helped make sure we don’t just wander into this.”

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