According to this weeks League Express, Rochdale have dropped out of the U23 league in favour of only playing friendlies, mainly at home (due to cost of travelling away). It also states that it only leaves 5 teams in the league, Fax, Fev, Sheffield, Keighley and Oldham. Looks like there will be lots of 'friendlies' this season.
I hope the RFL and their wonderful ideas aren't expecting Championship clubs to fund a team competing only against 4 formal opponents. Raising £25k through the supporters doesn't seem likely if that is the depth of the competition. Maybe the RFL should dig deep instead of funding Odslum and it's SL projects.