TORONTO-TOULOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH TO OPEN 2018 MAGIC WEEKEND

Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack won the Kingstone Press League One title in their first season

Toronto Wolfpack will take on Toulouse in an historic opening match of the 2018 Magic Weekend, Super League has announced.

The big-spending Canadians, who eased to the Kingstone Press League One title in their first season to earn promotion to the second tier last year, face French rivals Toulouse in the first Championship match to take place at the event in the 12.45pm curtain-raiser on Saturday, May 19 at St James' Park.

Super League general manager Mark Foster said: "The Dacia Magic Weekend is a brilliant event which brings sports fans together to watch exciting, high impact rugby league and it's fantastic that we have added an extra game to the fixture list.

"We know that fans of all clubs and different sports come to watch the event and I am sure that this additional game will add to what is an already brilliant experience.

"Toronto Wolfpack and Toulouse Olympique are sure to put on a great display in front of an enthusiastic crowd at St James' Park in the opening game of the weekend and show fans what the Championship has to offer."
The two-day event, which will be held in Newcastle for the fourth successive season, will see a rematch of October's Grand Final as Castleford look to avenge their Old Trafford defeat to Leeds in the final match of the first day.

The Hull derby will round off Sunday's action, where newly promoted Hull KR will lock horns with Challenge Cup winners Hull FC.

Wigan face Warrington and Widnes meet St Helens in other fixtures held on Saturday, while on Sunday, Salford play Catalans Dragons and Wakefield battle with local rivals Huddersfield.