While Super League has expanded from 12 to 14 teams in 2026, the Championship and League 1 have been merged into one 20-team division.
The Eagles finished 11th out of 13 in the Championship, whereas Haven were eighth out of 10 in the league below, having suffered major financial difficulties at the back end of the 2024 season when being relegated from the second tier.
But now they meet as equals for a second time in seven days with Eagles head coach Craig Lingard, previously in charge of Super League outfit Castleford Tigers, underlining the importance of Saturday’s tie with the carrot of Warrington awaiting.
“Some of our guys have played in Super League, some haven’t, so having that opportunity for them is massive,” Lingard told BBC Look North.
“For us as a club to generate, hopefully, some much-needed income to boost the coffers, it’s absolutely massive for us.
“It’s a real good occasion if you get in there and play a Super League team, to pit your wits against the best.”