Rugby league derbies in danger of losing their intensity, believes Batley Bulldogs' Craig Lingard

Batley Bulldogs take on Dewsbury Rams during the 2019 Boxing Day derby. Picture: Paul Butterfield.

The Boxing Day Heavy Woollen Derby will not take place this year with the Rams and Bulldogs not facing off in 2020.

Rivals clubs are now playing each other more regularly with the advent of weekends like Magic Weekend and the Summer Bash and Lingard feels derby matches should be special occasions.

“It is a bit different now because we play each other so many times,” he said.

“When I played, you play in the league home and away and if you didn’t draw each other in the cup that was pretty much it.

“But now you are playing five to six times a season, sometimes that it is a little bit of overkill for these matches.

“These derby games should be special games, they should be fierce occasions. When you dilute them by playing so much, it takes away that intensity.”

Lingard admits it will be nice for him and his troops to spend time with their families during the festive period, but feels a lot of his players will be raring to get back to action.

“It is nice the players can spend some time with their families and it gives them that additional time off,” he added.

“I think that most players would want to play because they have had so much time off already.”