Whitehaven's win on Sunday has virtually guaranteed them a trip to Canada in the League One Eights.

Toronto Wolfpack, judging by their results so far, will finish top at the end of the regular season and as such will have home games against the sides who finish second and third.

It appears, with three games left to play, that Whitehaven and Barrow will meet up in the last game at the Recreation Ground to decide in which order they finish – second or third.

Haven chairman Tommy Todd said: “There is a special formula to determine the fixtures in the eights with the top four enjoying home advantage in four games, while the bottom four only play at home three times.

“But one of the stipulations this season is the top team has two of those home games against the sides who finish immediately behind them in second and third.

“We are also hoping that our neighbours Workington Town can confirm a top eight place and that one of our home games will be against them.

"Our League One fixture was at Derwent Park and is a useful money-spinner so we have fingers crossed that the eights game will be at the Recreation Ground.”

Todd said he was encouraged by the rise in attendance on Sunday, albeit a small one of around 100 for the visit of Doncaster, but an important increase.

“It was good to see people back at the game who haven’t been there this season and we look forward to seeing them for the rest of the campaign,” said Todd.

But gate figures might be affected this weekend as it’s the first fixture clash of the season with Whitehaven hosting Keighley and Workington Town entertaining London Skolars.

“A couple of seasons ago I contacted Rugby League and said it was crazy that we were at home on the same day as Town six times. Since then it’s been better and this is the only clash so far,” said Todd.