Round 25 Preview

16 Sep 2021

Round 25 Preview

#SuperLeague

Thursday 16 September

Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves (19:45) - Sky Sports Arena 

Castleford Tigers are boosted by the return of Liam Watts (suspension) & Grant Millington (injury) for their must win game against Warrington Wolves on Thursday. 

Paul McShane is also included, but Oliver Holmes misses out in what would have been his final game at the Mend-A-Jungle before joining Wolves in 2022.

Thursday's match could well be a precursor to week one of the Play-Offs, as a win for Tigers would secure 6th in the Betfred Super League table and a trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday 24 September.

Some thought Steve Price might ring the changes with Wolves having already secured 3rd place in the Super League table. However, the Australian has named a strong 21-man squad, including returns for Mike Cooper, Joe Philbin & Tom Lineham.

Castleford Tigers: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Michael Shenton, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Cheyse Blair, Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, George Griffin, Alex Foster, Tyla Hepi, James Clare, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Daniel Smith, Suaia Matagi, Jordan Turner, Lewis Bienek, Gareth O’Brien.

Warrington Wolves: Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Josh Charnley, Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop, Chris Hill, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Jack Hughes, Joe Philbin, Jason Clark, Matty Ashton, Jake Mamo, Robbie Mulhern, Sitaleki Akauola, Josh Thewlis, Eribe Doro, Ellis Longstaff, Connor Wrench, George Williams, Tom Whitehead.

Friday 17 September

Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR (19:45) - Sky Sports Arena

Friday's match at Emerald Headingley could be a Play-Off decider should Tigers beat Wolves on Thursday. 

Leeds Rhinos welcome back Rob Lui, Konrad Hurrell & Morgan Gannon but remain without Liam Sutcliffe (knee), Luke Gale (knee), Zane Tetevano (suspension), Jack Walker (foot), Mikolaj Oledzki (toe), Callum McLelland (knee), King Vuniyayawa and Alex Mellor (knee).

There's bad news for Hull KR fans as Ryan Hall & Greg Minikin are both unavailable - leaving Tony Smith short of options in the backline. 

The winner of Friday's match will finish 5th and play Wigan Warriors in the first round of the Play-Offs.

Leeds Rhinos: Tom Briscoe, Harry Newman, Konrad Hurrell, Ash Handley, Rob Lui, Kruise Leeming, Matt Prior, Rhyse Martin, Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler, Cameron Smith, Tom Holroyd, Bodene Thompson, Alex Sutcliffe, Sam Walters, Luke Briscoe, James Donaldson, Jarrod O’Connor, Jack Broadbent, Morgan Gannon, Corey Johnson.

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

Salford Red Devils v St Helens (19:45)

Kevin Brown will make his final professional rugby league appearance on Friday night as Salford Red Devils round off their season against St Helens. 

Red Devils are guaranteed to finish the season in 11th place but will fancy their chances against a youthful Saints outfit.

Lachlan Coote is suspended so he drops out as does Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, James Roby, Morgan Knowles, Joe Batchelor, Mark Percival & Sione Mata’utia.

Jonny Lomax & Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook are both in contention to play after recovering from their respective injuries.

Salford Red Devils: Morgan Escare, Ken Sio, Krisnan Inu, Tui Lolohea, Kevin Brown, Andy Ackers, Seb Ikahihifo, Ryan Lannon, Pauli Pauli, Elijah Taylor, Danny Addy, Oliver Roberts, Greg Burke, Josh Johnson, Chris Atkin, Rhys Williams, Dan Sarginson, Matt Costello, Jack Ormondroyd, Connor Aspey, Ellis Robson. 

St Helens: Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Matty Lees, Joel Thompson, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Jack Welsby, Aaron Smith, Lewis Dodd, Josh Simm, Jake Wingfield, Josh Eaves, Dan Norman, Ben Davies, Sam Royle, Jonathan Bennison, Shay Martyn, Taylor Pemberton, Reece Sumner.


Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons (19:45)

Willie Isa returns to Warriors' squad after serving his four-match suspension following last month’s game against Saints.

Isa is one of three changes for Warriors as James McDonnell is recalled from his loan spell at York City Knights and named in the 21-man squad. Tony Clubb also comes back in.

Isa, McDonnell and Clubb replace Liam Marshall, Brad Singleton and Morgan Smithies.

For Catalans Dragons, club captain Ben Garcia makes his return. They also recall Samisoni Langi, Julian Bousquet, Mike McMeeken, Joel Tomkins, Joe Chan, Sam Tomkins and Sam Kasiano - all of whom missed the defeat to Huddersfield Giants in Perpignan.

Wigan Warriors: Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Sam Powell, Joe Bullock, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Oliver Partington, Tony Clubb, Liam Byrne, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Jake Bibby, Mitch Clark, Joe Shorrocks, Kai Pearce-Paul, Sam Halsall, James McDonnell, Umyla Hanley, Jackson Hastings, Brad O’Neill.

Catalans Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies,  Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, James Maloney, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Micky MciLorum, Julian Bousquet, Matt Whitley, Mike Mcmeeken, Benjamin Garcia, Benjamin Jullien, Mickael Goudemand, Matthieu Laguerre, Joel Tomkins, Joe Chan, Sam Kasiano, Sam Tomkins, Jordan Dezaria, César Rouge.


Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC (19:45)

Wakefield Trinity & Hull FC are playing for nothing more than pride when they meet at the Mobile Rocket Stadium on Friday.

Willie Poching will be hoping to further stake his claim for the Trinity job on a permanent basis while the Black & Whites just need to find some form after poor end to the 2021 season.

Trinity remain without a host of players in the backs. Lee Kershaw is the latest to pick up an injury. Youngster Harry Bowes replaces him in the only change to the squad that lost at Leigh Centurions. 

Hull FC also make just one change to their squad. Marc Sneyd drops out because of injury - giving 19-year-old Marcus Walker an opportunity. 

Wakefield Trinity: Reece Lyne, Liam Kay, Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, David Fifita, Kyle Wood, Tinirau Arona, Kelepi Tanginoa, Joe Westerman, Jay Pitts, Eddie Battye, James Batchelor, Chris Green, Innes Senior, Jordy Crowther, Joe Arundel, Josh Wood, Brad Walker, Yusuf Aydin, Ryan Hampshire, Harry Bowes.

Hull FC: Jake Connor, Bureta Faraimo,Carlos Tuimavave, Mahe Fonua, Chris Satae, Andre Savelio, Manu Ma’u, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Ben McNamara, Josh Bowden, Connor Wynne, Cameron Scott, Jude Ferreira, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Jamie Shaul, Aidan Burrell, Marcus Walker, Jacob Hookem.

Sunday 19 September

Huddersfield Giants v Leigh Centurions (15:00)

In the final game of the regular season, Giants & Centurions clash at the John Smith's Stadium.

It's not all been plain sailing for Ian Watson in his first year as Giants head coach, but he will hopeful of securing 9th place with a win against Super League's bottom club.

Centurions registered just their second triumph of the season when they beat Trinity last weekend. Victory again on Sunday would at least add some respectability to what has been a difficult campaign.

Huddersfield Giants: Ashton Golding, Jermaine McGillvary, Ricky Leutele, Michael Lawrence, Josh Jones, Matty English, Joe Greenwood, Jack Cogger, Chris McQueen, Oliver Wilson, Leroy Cudjoe, Olly Russell, Louis Senior, Owen Trout, Sam Hewitt, Olly Ashall-Bott, Will Pryce, Nathaniel Peteru, Nathan Peats.

Leigh Centurions: Ryan Brierley, Iain Thornley, Junior Sa’u, Joe Mellor, Liam Hood, Ben Hellewell, Jordan Thompson, James Bell, Alex Gerrard, Jamie Ellis, Adam Sidlow, Craig Mullen, Keanan Brand, Brendan Elliot, Rob Butler, Jack Ashworth, Jack Logan, Sam Stone, Jai Whitbread.