THE PACK are set to face Newcastle in their first friendly of 2021.

Whitehaven RLFC has announced that they will face Newcastle Thunder on Sunday March 14.

Haven will be itching to return to action, all be it in a low key fixture, when they travel to Kingston Park next weekend.

They have now been side-lined for 12 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Haven boss Gary Charlton and his coaching staff are keen to give the players a run out before their first game of the Betfred Challenge Cup against Dewsbury Rams.

Challenge Cup action kicks off for Whitehaven on March 20 at 5.15pm. Cumbrian rivals Barrow Raiders meet Oldham earlier that day.

Although the games take place behind closed doors, fans can watch live on the OurRLeague app.