Round 3 preview
14 Apr 2021
Thursday 15 April
Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors (19:45) - Sky Sports Main Event & Arena
Kyle Eastmond is included in Richard Agar's 21-man squad and is in line to make his Leeds Rhinos debut. The dual-code international returned to Rugby League in March following a successful stint in Rugby Union but is yet to make an appearance for his new side.
Liam Sutcliffe and Bodene Thompson could also return for the Rhinos after the pair missed their Challenge Cup defeat against St Helens. Zane Tetevano will be unavailable despite being named in Friday's squad after he was handed a 4 match ban for a late hit on Theo Fages last week.
Meanwhile, the Warriors welcome Bevan French back into their 21-man squad ahead of Thursday Nights clash against the Rhinos. French spent an extended period back home in Australia and missed the opening two rounds of the 2021 season.
He replaces prop Liam Byrne in the squad after the young forward received a one match ban following the Warriors Challenge Cup clash against York last week.
Leeds Rhinos: Tom Briscoe, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kruise Leeming, Matt Prior, Alex Mellor, Rhyse Martin, Zane Tetevano, Brad Dwyer, Liam Sutcliffe, Cameron Smith, Bodene Thompson, Alex Sutcliffe, Sam Walters, Luke Briscoe, James Donaldson, Jarrod O'Connor, Jack Broadbent, Corey Hall, Levi Edwards, Morgan Gannon, Kyle Eastmond.
Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Zak Hardaker, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Joe Bullock, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Oliver Partington, Morgan Smithies, Tony Clubb, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Jake Bibby, Mitch Clark, Joe Shorrocks, Sam Halsall, James McDonnell, Umyla Hanley, Jackson Hastings.
Last 10 meetings: Rhinos have won 4, Warriors have won 6 - their last meeting was the Challenge Cup semi-final which Rhinos won 26-12.
Friday 16 April
Castleford Tigers v Leigh Centurions (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders
Daryl Powell makes just one change to his 21-man squad following a gruelling extra-time win against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup last week. Danny Richardson is unavailable - his place taken by academy graduate Sam Hall - with Gareth O'Brien expected to deputise in the halves.
New signing Nathan Peats is in line to make his Super League debut for Leigh on Friday after playing his first game for the Centurions in the Challenge Cup last week.
Fellow new signing James Bell could also make his debut for the Centurions after being side-lined through injury in the opening two rounds. Loan signing Josh Simm is also included in the Leigh squad following his move from St Helens this week.
Castleford Tigers: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Michael Shenton, Jake Trueman, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Oliver Holmes, Cheyse Blair, Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, George Griffin, Tyla Hepi, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Daniel Smith, Greg Eden, Jordan Turner, Lewis Bienek, Sam Hall, Gareth O’Brien.
Leigh Centurions: Ryan Brierley, Matty Russell, Iain Thornley, Lewis Tierney, Joe Mellor, Ben Flower, Liam Hood, Mark Ioane, Ben Hellewell, Jordan Thompson, James Bell, Alex Gerrard, Nathaniel Peteru, Matty Gee, Adam Sidlow, Tyrone McCarthy, Craig Mullen, Keanan Brand, Nathan Peats, Ben Reynolds, Josh Simm.
Last 10 meetings: The Tigers have won all 10 of the sides last meetings - Leigh have not beaten Castleford since 1987.
St Helens v Wakefield Trinity (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders
Matty Lees and Sione Mata'utia are unavailable for the Champions in round 3 - the pair picked up injuries during their Challenge Cup victory against Leeds Rhinos.
Mark Percival is back in contention for Friday's fixture but head coach Kristian Woolf insists he will not rush the star centre back into action. Aaron Smith is also included in the Saints squad following a head injury picked up in round 2 against Hull KR.
It's a welcome return to action for Kyle Wood and Eddie Battye who are in line to make their first appearances for Trinity in 2021.
However, Chris Chester will be without the services of Max Jowitt, Tom Johnstone, Bill Tupou and Matty Ashurst (injury), whilst Kelepi Tanginoa is serving a one-match suspension so also misses out.
St Helens: Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Joel Thompson, James Bentley, LMS, Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Jack Welsby, Aaron Smith, Joe Batchelor, Lewis Dodd, Jake Wingfield, Dan Norman, Tom Nisbet.
Wakefield Trinity: Reece Lyne, Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, David Fifita, Kyle Wood, Tinirau Arona, Joe Westerman, Jay Pitts, Eddie Battye, James Batchelor, Chris Green, Innes Senior, Jordy Crowther, Joe Arundel, Josh Wood, Jack Croft, Brad Walker, Lee Kershaw, Ryan Hampshire, Ollie Greensmith, Dane Windrow.
Last 10 meetings: Saints have won 9 and Trinity have won 1 - that sole victory for Trinity was a 24-20 win at home during the 2018 season.
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Hull Kingston Rovers v Huddersfield Giants (19:45) - Sky Sports Arena
2021 recruit Albert Vete is back in Rovers 21-man squad after missing their round 2 clash against St Helens. Fellow new signing Brad Takairangi is still unavailable through injury - Robins fans will need to wait a little longer for the former NRL star to make his Super League debut.
Ryan Hall is named in Tony Smith's squad and could move into stand alone second place in the all time Betfred Super League top try scoring charts if he crosses on Friday Night - it will also be his 200th Super League try.
Aidan Sezer could make his first appearance of 2021 after being named in the Giants 21-man squad. The Huddersfield captain has been included in the Giants previous 21-man squads in the opening two rounds, but is yet to feature this season.
Joe Greenwood is unavailable for Ian Watson as he continues to serve a 3 match ban after being sent off during the Giants round 2 fixture against Catalans Dragons.
Hull Kingston Rovers: Adam Quinlan, Ben Crooks, Greg Minikin, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Jordan Abdull, Albert Vete, Matt Parcell, Korbin Sims, Kane Linnett, Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, George Lawler, George King, Mikey Lewis, Ethan Ryan, Rowan Milnes, Luis Johnson, Muizz Mustapha, Jimmy Keinhorst.
Huddersfield Giants: Jermaine McGillvary, Jake Wardle, Darnell McIntosh, Lee Gaskell, Aidan Sezer, Luke Yates, Adam O'Brien, Michael Lawrence, Kenny Edwards, Josh Jones, Matty English, Jack Cogger, Chris McQueen, Jack Ashworth, James Cunningham, Oliver Wilson, Leroy Cudjoe, James Gavet, Louis Senior, Sam Wood, Ronan Michael.
Last 10 meetings: Hull KR have won 3, Giants have won 7. Overall in Super League, the Giants have won 16 and Rovers 9 - with 3 draws between the sides.
Saturday 17 April
Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils (17:00 UK) - Sky Sports Arena
No new injury concerns for Steve McNamara's side as they return home in round 3. The Dragons are still without Joel Tomkins who is serving a ban picked up in 2020, but does welcome back Micky McIlorum who returns from suspension.
Salford could be without Elijah Taylor and Dan Sarginson for their trip to the South of France after the pair left the field injured during round 2 and subsequently missed their Challenge Cup match last week.
Richard Marshall could also be without Danny Addy who has missed the past two weeks with a hip injury. Darcy Lussick is in line to make his Super League debut for Salford after the prop made his first appearance for the Red Devils during their 68-4 victory against Widnes last weekend.
Catalans Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, Fouad Yaha, James Maloney, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Micky McIlorum, Julian Bousquet, Matt Whitley, Mike McMeeken, Ben Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Benjamin Julien, Paul Seguier, Lambert Belmas, Matthieu Laguerre, Jason Baitieri, Sam Kasiano, Sam Tomkins.
Salford Red Devils: TBC
Last 10 meetings: Catalans have won 4, Salford have won 6 - the Red Devils have won 4 of the last 5 meetings between the 2 sides.
Sunday 18 April
Hull FC v Warrington Wolves (15:00) - Our League for season ticket holders
Hull FC head coach Brett Hodgson will be without star half-back Josh Reynolds after he picked up a hamstring injury during their round 2 win against Salford.
Marc Sneyd and Ligi Sao are also doubts after picking up injuries and missing last week's Challenge Cup fixture against Featherstone.
The Wolves will be without winger Tom Lineham for Sunday's clash against his former club - Lineham handed a 3 match ban following Warrington's Challenge Cup victory at Swinton.
Head coach Steve Price is in no rush to hand Greg Inglis his debut for the club as he continues to get match fit following a prolonged period out of the game.
Hull FC: TBC
Warrington Wolves: TBC
Last 10 meetings: Hull FC have won 4, Warrington have won 6 - the black and whites beat the Wolves in the 2020 play-offs the last time the 2 sides met.
