Preview | Betfred Super League Rd 1

Super League is back!

It?s felt like a long, cold winter since the climax of a fantastic Rugby League World Cup. But the wait is over, pre-season is complete and Betfred Super League returns this weekend with a bang.

With three live Super League games, plus the World Club Challenge, there is plenty of action in store.

There's Nothing Like Working For It ?@WarringtonRLFC kick off #SuperLeague 2023 tonight, 8pm LIVE on @SkySportsRL ? pic.twitter.com/sg2K1AqkPE
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 16, 2023

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos - Thurs 16 Feb, 8pm (Sky Sports)

Last year?s beaten Grand Finalists, Leeds Rhinos, travel to the Halliwell Jones to face Warrington Wolves in the season opener.

Rohan Smith will hope be hoping his charges can go one better in 2023 and lift the Super League trophy for the first time since 2017.

Smith has included six new faces in his 21-man squad including Justin Sangare, Sam Lisone and Derrell Olpherts but he will be without the injured Nene MacDonald, Harry Newman, James Bentley and Mikolaj Oledzki.

No doubt Daryl Powell will be expecting a big improvement from his side's 11^th place finish in 2022 and they will be hoping for a repeat of Round 1 in 2022 when they snatched a late victory over the Rhinos.

New signings Gil Dudson (injury), Matty Russell (illness) and Josh McGuire (suspended) will sit this one out, but Josh Drinkwater, Sam Kasiano and Paul Vaughan are all expected to feature.

Stefan Ratchford will be celebrating his 300^th club appearance for Warrington when he runs out as new club captain.

Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils - Fri 17 Feb, 8pm (Sky Sports)

Paul Rowley returns to a familiar ground as his Salford Red Devils face the newly monikered Leigh Leopards for their first game back in Super League.

With Brodie Croft?s long term future secured by the Red Devils, fans will be hoping he can inspire the team to go one step further in 2023 and reach the Betfred Super League Grand Final.

Adrian Lam will be hoping his new look Leopards can continue the form that got them promoted in 2022. Lam will be hoping Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam turn on the skills they showed for PNG at RLWC2021. The duo will be joined by several new faces at the Leopards, including Ricky Leutele, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Holmes and Gareth O?Brien.

Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons - Fri 17 Feb, 7:30pm

Tipped by many to struggle in 2023, Wakefield will be keen to start with a win in Mark Applegarth?s first game in charge.

The Dragons will be looking to start the season with a bang and prove they are yet again to be considered title contenders for the end of season run-in.

Former Dragon, Samisoni Langi is expected to debut for Trinity, whilst former Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone will be lining up against his old club when he makes his Dragons debut following an off-season switch.

Heroes created, rivalries revisited, moments immortalised and champions crowned ?

This is #SuperLeague, coming to you in 2023 on @C4Sport ? pic.twitter.com/STI52NDo4g
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 15, 2023

Hull KR v Wigan Warriors - Sat 18 Feb, 1pm (Channel 4)

All eyes will be on East Hull on Saturday lunchtime as this season?s Channel 4 coverage kicks off with Willie Peters first Super League game in charge of his former playing club, Hull KR. Big money signing Tom Opacic is tipped to make a big impact for the Robins in 2023, with the likes of Mikey Lewis, Elliot Minchella and Jordan Abdull looking to back-up the great form they showed glimpses of in 2022.

Whilst Matt Peet?s first season in charge of the Cherry & Whites saw another Challenge Cup trophy added to the cabinet, they ultimately fell short in the end of season play-offs. The Warriors will have to adjust to life after Tommy Leuluai and John Bateman, but a fully fit pairing of Jai Field and Bevan French is always going to score you points.

Hull FC v Castleford Tigers - Sun 19 Feb, 3pm

After swapping East for West, new FC boss Tony Smith will be desperate to turn things around at the MKM Stadium and return Hull FC to the play-off chasing team so expected by the fans. Off-season additions including Tex Hoy, Jake Clifford, Brad Dwyer and Jake Trueman are sure to give FC a sharpened attacking edge this season.

No doubt the Tigers team will be raring to get out on the field and concentrate on the season ahead. Lee Radford?s men will be hopeful of going on step better than in 2022 and securing a top six play-off spot and a tilt at reaching the Grand Final.

The signing of Gareth Widdop turned heads in the off-season and Tigers fans will be hoping a new half-back partnership of Widdop and Jacob Miller will be key to unlocking the next step for Castleford this season.

World Club Challenge: Penrith Panthers v St Helens - Sat 18 Feb, 7:50am (Channel 4 & Sky Sports)

The four-midable St Helens take on NRL champions Penrith Panthers for the chance to be crowned World Champions for the third time in the clubs history.

The evergreen James Roby will be hoping to emulate the 2007 victory he helped Saints secure over Brisbane.

St Helens showed good form in last weekend's opener against St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong and new boss Paul Wellens will be anticipating adding some silverware to the trophy cabinet in his first competitive game in charge this year.  

Get your predictions in on the Our League predictor for a chance to win some outstanding prizes this season!