TIGERS PLAN A REFRESH

SHEFFIELD co-promoter Damien Bates has hinted changes are on the way to what has become an established line-up at Owlerton.

The Tigers have been regular play-off qualifiers in recent ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaigns, clinching the league title in 2023, but they were beaten in this year’s Grand Final by Roses rivals Sheffield.

Bates said: “To say we had a very unsettled winter break last year with plenty going on, as well as the fact we didn’t officially confirm our entry into the league until January, I think we can deem 2026 a success in many ways.

“On track, I’d say it was alright; we made the Grand Final without doing anything too spectacular – but now we want to do even better in 2027.

“It was nice to have a lot of continuity in 2026, but I do think we need to freshen the team up a little bit for next year and bring some new faces into the club.

“Some changes we’ll be forced into, some will be our own choice, but we’re already deep into the process of talking to riders.”