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Round 8 Preview

19 Apr 2024

Betfred Super League returns to our screens for Round 8 following the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals last weekend.

We are almost a third of the way through the 2024 season, which means there's plenty of time for more twists and turns…

We back this week ?

Your #SuperLeague Round 8 fixtures ? pic.twitter.com/MePaGovmg6
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 15, 2024

Friday 19 April

Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants (20.00) - Sky Sports

It's a West Yorkshire derby at AMT Headingley Stadium on Friday night, as Leeds Rhinos welcome Huddersfield Giants.

The hosts will be hoping to bounce back after a week out and are boosted by the return of David Fusitu'a from injury, who is set to make his first appearance of the season, and Justin Sangare who returns from suspension.

The Rhinos will unfortunately be without Ash Handley who suffered a rib injury against Warrington Wolves in Round 7, whilst James Bentley, James Donaldson and Tom Holroyd are also ruled out.

Huddersfield, on the other hand, produced a sensational shock win in the south of France last Saturday, sealing a semi-final spot in the Challenge Cup competition.

Ian Watson's men will certainly be boosted by this result and will look to come up with another victory on the road - if they do this will be their first win at Headingley since 2018.

They will be without their powerful back-rower Jack Murchie, who misses out due to a slight strain, but the remainder of their winning 21-man squad remains the same.

Get all the info you need for tonight's clash with the Giants in our ????? ????!

Take a look??https://t.co/JE4A1jEpeI pic.twitter.com/9PnQGakBVx
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) April 19, 2024

Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers (20.00) - Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

There's a rematch of last week's quarter-final tie, although this time the Tigers find themselves travelling to the DW Stadium, as they hope to avoid another demolishing.

Craig Lingard's men were drubbed 6-60 by the current Champions but will have to dust themselves down quickly with the short turn-around between these two matches.

Joe Westerman and Luis Johnston drop out of Castleford's 21-man squad, and Sylvester Namo is also suspended.

There is a first inclusion for Louis Senior, who joined the Tigers from Hull KR on a two week loan earlier on in the week. Sam Hall and Liam Watts also return to the squad.

With a semi-final place confirmed, Wigan's focus will turn firmly back to the league for time being, as they look to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

Matt Peet has made just one change to his side who beat the Tigers last weekend, as Mike Cooper comes in to replace Willie Isa.

The Warriors have won each of their last eight Super League matches against Castleford Tigers by an average margin of 22 points - will they make it nine on Friday?

Back in the squad, @MikeCooper_18! ?#WWRL #SLWIGCAS pic.twitter.com/y61BThkEqS
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 17, 2024

St Helens v Hull FC (20.00) - Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

St Helens will be out for vengeance on Friday night, following an extremely disappointing Challenge Cup exit last week.

There's a high chance Hull FC could feel the full brunt of St Helens' fury, as the Saints will turn their eyes back to Super League for the remainder of the season.

A highly motivated Saints will have Mark Percival back available for selection following head injury protocols, and Matty Lees also returns after serving a two-match suspension.

Alex Walmsley misses out with a hamstring issue picked up in their quarter-final tie, whilst Jake Burns and Tee Ritson also step out of the squad for this match.

Hull FC will have captain Danny Houghton back for this fixture, but the Black and Whites have experienced a lot of upheaval heading into this Round 8 fixture - last week saw head coach Tony Smith part ways with the club, before both Tex Hoy and Fa'amanu Brown?s exits were announced just a day later.

It has been revealed that Richie Myler has taken over as Director of Rugby at the club - but could this have any bearing on this week's result?

This week on SuperLeague+ in the UK ?

Who's got their GamePass for Round 8? ? #SuperLeague
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 18, 2024

Saturday 20 April

Warrington Wolves v Leigh Leopards (15.00) - Sky Sports

Sam Burgess passed his first major test as Warrington's head coach as his side delivered a sensational team performance to knock St Helens out of the Challenge Cup on Saints' home soil.

Prior to this, the Wolves pulled off an emphatic win in West Yorkshire against Leeds Rhinos in Round 7, so definitely have the confidence and momentum heading into this game.

Their focus now reverts back to the league as they play hosts to Leigh Leopards, who will be licking their wounds from a gutting Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Hull KR, in which they relinquished their title.

It is Warrington who have won their last 13 home meetings with Leigh - will they make it 14 on Saturday?

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— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) April 16, 2024

London Broncos v Salford Red Devils (15.00) - Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

There's action in the capital on Saturday as London Broncos are still holding out for their first win of the Super League season.

It is Salford Red Devils who win make the trip down South this weekend, but Paul Rowley's cannot afford to be too careful. Last time out, the Red Devils lost out to Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, in a match that saw the Tigers register their first win of 2024.

Will the Broncos be able to do the same?

The Red Devils will welcome back Gil Dudson, on loan from Warrington Wolves, is back in contention after a calf problem, as well as Kai Morgan who returns from a loan spell of his own at Rochdale Hornets.

There are some notable absentees, however, with Sam Stone and David Nofoaluma unavailable for Round 8, and Amir Bourouh is set to serve his one-match suspension.

The Broncos are boosted by the return of Sadiq Abebiyi from injury, as well as Lee Kershaw, Jarred Bassett and Joran Williams who missed Round 7's game with minor knocks.

Ugo Tison, from current table toppers Catalans, also arrives on loan and is set to make his first appearance.

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?There were some familiar faces playing for us last time we hosted @SalfordDevils in 2019!

?Who are you most excited to see play on Saturday?

Let us know in the comments ? pic.twitter.com/ZX9OhHsKie
— London Broncos (@LondonBroncosRL) April 18, 2024

Catalans Dragons v Hull KR (17.30) - Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

It's the current 1st v 4th on Saturday, as the Dragons have back-to-back home games on the cards.

Similar to St Helens, Steve McNamara's men will be seething from their Challenge Cup exit last weekend, as they suffered a disappointing 6-34 loss to Huddersfield in Perpignan.

With the Challenge Cup out of the question in 2024, the Dragons will be determined to occupy top spot for another week, whilst Willie Peters' men will also want to keep doing what they?re doing, as they search for a third consecutive league win.

The Robins' last away victory against the Dragons came in 2019 - who will emerge victorious on this time around?