Rivals Round Preview

19 Aug 2021

Thursday 19 August

Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants (19.45) - Emerald Headingley Stadium

Luke Gale suffered a knee injury during the Rhinos win against Leigh last week and misses out in Round 20. Konrad Hurrell also picked up an injury in that same game but has been included in the squad, with Head Coach Richard Agar admitting he is a doubt.

Leeds do welcome back King Vuniyayawa and Callum McLelland after they completed their HIA return to play protocols ahead of Thursday's clash with the Giants.

Lee Gaskell returns to the Huddersfield squad in a boost for Ian Watson - Gaskell has not featured for the Giants since Round 11.

Oliver Russell is also included following a head knock sustained against Wakefield Trinity two weeks ago.

Leeds Rhinos: Tom Briscoe, Harry Newman, Konrad Hurrell, Ash Handley, Rob Lui, Kruise Leeming, Zane Tetevano, Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler, Cameron Smith, Tom Holroyd, King Vuniyayawa, Bodene Thompson, Sam Walters, Callum McLelland, Luke Briscoe, James Donaldson, Jarrod O'Connor, Corey Hall, Levi Edwards, Morgan Gannon.

Huddersfield Giants: Ashton Golding, Jake Wardle, Lee Gaskell, Luke Yates, Josh Jones, Matty English, Jack Cogger, Oliver Wilson, Leroy Cudjoe, Louis Senior, Owen Trout, Sam Wood, Sam Hewitt, Olly Ashall-Bott, Will Pryce, Nathaniel Peteru, Nathan Peats, George Roby.

Last 10 meetings: Leeds have won 6, Huddersfield have won 3 and there has been 1 draw - the last 3 meetings between the 2 sides have been separated by 1 point.

???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????. ???????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????. ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ????????????.#RivalsRound begins tonight 🤩#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/STQ7lVy3S7
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 19, 2021

Friday 20 August

Wigan Warriors v St Helens (19.45) - Sky Sports Arena

The Warriors will be without Sam Powell for Friday's derby after the hooker left the field early last week against Hull KR with concussion.

Oliver Partington makes a timely return from suspension ahead of Round 20, along with Sam Halsall who comes into the Warriors squad in place of Umlya Hanley.

Tommy Makinson misses out on Friday after picking up a two-match suspension during Saints defeat to Castleford last week.

Morgan Knowles returns to the St Helens squad in place of Makinson, as does Jake Wingfield - he replaces Ben Davies in the only other change to the Saints 21-man squad.

Wigan Warriors: Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Liam Marshall, Jai Field, Joe Bullock, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Oliver Partington, Morgan Smithies, Tony Clubb, Liam Byrne, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Jake Bibby, Mitch Clark, Joe Shorrocks, Kai Pearce-Paul, Sam Halsall, Jackson Hastings, Amir Bourouh.

St Helens: Lachlan Coote, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Joel Thompson, James Bentley, Morgan Knowles, Sione Mata’utia, LMS, Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Jack Welsby, Aaron Smith, Joe Batchelor, Lewis Dodd, Josh Simm, Jake Wingfield.

Last 10 meetings: St Helens have won 8, Wigan have won 2 - Saints have won their last 3 away meetings against the Warriors.

Saturday 21 August

Hull FC v Hull Kingston Rovers (15.00) - Sky Sports Action

Jake Connor and Jamie Shaul could both make a return to action after the pair were included in Brett Hodgson's 21-man squad.

Marc Sneyd is also available after missing last weeks defeat to Catalans, whilst Andre Savelio, Jordan Johnstone and Connor Wynne all return from suspension. Chris Satae and Mahe Fonua are both unavailable for the Black and Whites.

Tony Smith makes just one change to his 21-man squad following Rovers victory against Wigan last week.

Mikey Lewis returns to the squad after recovering from a head knock - he replaces the injured Ethan Ryan ahead of Saturday's Hull derby.

Hull FC: Jake Connor, Bureta Faraimo, Carlos Tuimavave, Josh Reynolds, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Andre Savelio, Manu Ma’u, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone, Joe Cator, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Ben McNamara, Jack Brown, Adam Swift, Josh Bowden, Connor Wynne, Cameron Scott, Jamie Shaul.

Hull KR: Ben Crooks, Greg Minikin, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Albert Vete, Matt Parcell, Korbin Sims, Brad Takairangi, Kane Linnett, Jez Litten, George Lawler, George King, Matty Storton, Mikey Lewis, Joe Keyes, Rowan Milnes, Will Maher, Luis Johnson, Muizz Mustapha, Will Tate, Jimmy Keinhorst.

Last 10 meetings: Hull FC have won 7, Hull KR have won 3 - Hull FC won both meetings between the 2 sides last season.

🗣?? "Jordan Abdull is in a pot & he's fuming. He wants to cut it off & play."

His love of Maths, Leeds reflections, NRL challenges & Saturday's Hull derby are all on the agenda with @Ryan5Hall on @OutOfYourRL this week 💪

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon & YouTube 👇
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 18, 2021

Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity (19.00) - Mend-A-Hose Jungle

Trinity are unchanged following their impressive home win against Warrington in Round 19. Back rower Matty Ashurst is in line to make his 250th Super League appearance if he lines up against Castleford on Saturday.

Daryl Powell makes two changes to his 21-man squad after last weeks impressive win away at St Helens.

Alex Foster and Jason Qareqare are included - the pair replace James Clare and Lewis Bienek ahead of Saturday's clash with their West Yorkshire rivals.

Castleford Tigers: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Oliver Holmes, Cheyse Blair, Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, George Griffin, Alex Foster, Tyla Hepi, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Daniel Smith, Greg Eden, Suaia Matagi, Jordan Turner, Gareth O’Brien, Jason Qareqare.

Wakefield Trinity: Max Jowitt, Tom Johnstone, Liam Kaye, Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, David Fifita, Kyle Wood, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst, Kelepi Tanginoa, Joe Westerman, Jay Pitts, Eddie Battye, James Batchelor, Chris Green, Innes Senior, Joe Arundel, Brad Walker, Yusuf Aydin, Lee Kershaw, Ryan Hampshire.

Last 10 meetings: Castleford have won 10, Wakefield have won 0 - the Tigers have won their last 15 meetings with Trinity.