Round 28 Preview

Castleford Tigers v Hull FC (Sky Sports Action, Thursday 5 September, 19:45)

Potentially a Play-Off decider as 5th face 6th. With everything to play for and a win each in their previous meetings this season, this looks to be a tightly contested match. 

Hull FC play Saints, who have lost only three games all season in the final round, so they’ll be looking to secure two points and a play-off spot this week to allow themselves some breathing room. 

Castleford Tigers sit in 6th just two points behind Hull FC, but a win at home tonight will edge them into a Play-Off position, demoting FC to 6th on points difference.

Albert Kelly, Ratu Naulago and Mark Minichiello return to the 19-man squad tonight whilst Matt Cook replaces Jacques O’Neill for Castleford Tigers.  

Hull KR v London Broncos (Sky Sports Action, Friday 6 September, 19:45)

The bottom of the table go head-to-head as Hull Kingston Rovers host London Broncos. London need to win this week if they want to keep their Super League dreams alive for 2020, but Hull KR are in an equally dangerous position if they lose by a significant points margin. 

After an illustrious career, Super League’s all-time top try-scorer Danny McGuire will walk out at KCOM Craven Park for his final time after announcing his retirement from Rugby League earlier this year.

Tony Smith, who extended his contract until the end of 2022 last weekend, has made three changes to his 19-man squad replacing Litten, Harrison and Lewis with Hall, Garbutt and Parcell. Danny Ward makes one change, replacing Loane with Hindmarsh. 

Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils (Friday 6 September, 19:45)

Once again Salford Red Devils maintain their place at the top of the form table, bagging six consecutive wins after their match against Warrington Wolves last Thursday which sees them sit 4th in the league table. 

Leeds Rhinos secured a crucial two points last week in a 36-10 win against London Broncos down in the capital. Now sitting in 8th place on 22 points they’ve all but confirmed their place in Super League for next year as long as they don’t let their points difference take a dramatic hit.

Back from injury, Josh Griffin has been named in Ian Watson’s 19-man squad, along with Josh Wood as they replace Ryan Lannon and Ben Nakubuwai. Richard Agar has made no changes to his winning side from last week. 

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants (Friday 6 September, 19:45)

Last week St Helens lifted the League Leaders Shield after a tight 4-0 win against Castleford Tigers, leaving them on 48 points in the table. This week they have a chance to relive their 2002 record at their final home game of the 2019 campaign - a win against the Giants on Friday will mean they have gone undefeated at home for the full regular season. 

Lachlan Coote makes his return to the squad after missing out against Castleford Tigers due to concussion protocol, and joining him back in the squad are Peyroux, Naiqama and Fages. 

Huddersfield Giants gave it their all last week as the pressure increases to secure Super League status for 2020 with a huge 12-22 win over Hull FC. Now two points from the bottom, can they hold on to safety?

Simon Woolford makes two changes to his 19-man squad as Adam Walne and Tom Holmes make their return to replace Matt Frawley and Aaron Murphy.

Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity (Friday 6 September, 19:45)

Warrington Wolves had their 6th consecutive loss against Salford last week, keeping them at the bottom of the form table, but can they turn their fortunes around as the competition for Play-Offs tightens?

Wakefield Trinity put up a hard fight against Wigan Warriors last week, but ultimately fell just short in the final few minutes. Wakefield will need to come away victorious this week to put fears of relegation to bed.

Blake Austin makes his return to Steve Price’s squad having been out on injury since Round 24, plus Cooper, Hill, King and Patton who missed out against Salford last week. 

Wakefield’s Annakin, Tupou and Batchelor all picked up injuries in Round 27 and will miss out, whilst King, Crowther, Gwaze and Kershaw re-join the squad.

Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons (Friday 6 September, 19:45)

The first time these two sides met this season Wigan put in a dominant performance to overcome the Dragons 42-0. Catalans later avenged their defeat in style in front of a Super League record crowd at Camp Nou in May. 

Wigan’s move up the table continued with last week’s victory seeing them move up to second place, which if maintained will give them the home advantage in the first week of the Play-Offs. 

Catalans still have an outside chance of making the Play-offs however a run of just one win in their last five games means they need to rely on results around them to be in with a shot of making the Grand Final.

Wigan make just one change to their 19-man squad as Harry Smith replaces Amir Bourouh, whilst Catalans see the return of Sam Tomkins and Alrix Da Costa.