Round 26 preview

Friday 15 September

Leigh Leopards v Wakefield Trinity (20.00) - Leigh Sports Village

Zak Hardaker drops out of the Leigh squad in Round 26 with Tom Nisbet coming in to replace him. John Asiata and Josh Charnley - who both sat out last weeks trip to St Helens - are expected to feature this week after being included in the Leopards 21-man squad. 

Trinity cult hero David Fifita has played his last game for the club after returning home for the birth of his child. Fifita also announced that 2023 would be his last season playing rugby league, retiring from the sport after accumulating over 150 appearances for Wakefield. 

Renouf Atoni is also absent this week - he picked a one match suspension against the Dragons last time out, whilst Sam Eseh also drops out of the Wakefield squad. Josh Bowden, Dan Windrow and Hugo Salabio come in to replace the trio.

Sky Sports will announce on Saturday night, after this weekend?s round of fixtures, which match will lead their coverage of Round 27 of #SuperLeague ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 14, 2023

Warrington Wolves v St Helens (20.00) - Sky Sports Arena

Warrington have been dealt a triple blow this week with George Williams, Peter Mata'utia and Gil Dudson all dropping out of the 21-man squad. Greg Minikin, Adam Holroyd and Luke Thomas are the three players brought in to replace them.

Saints head coach Paul Wellens has made one change to his 21-man squad ahead of Friday's trip to Warrington. George Delaney has been ruled out following a head knock sustained against Leigh last week. He's replaced by the returning Curtis Sironen, who has recovered from a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury picked up in Round 21.

Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers (20.00) - DW Stadium

In-form front rower Liam Byrne drops out of the Wigan squad this week after picking up an injury during last weekends win at Leeds. Iain Thornley links up with the Warriors squad in Byrne's place.

Castleford have been forced into five changes to their squad ahead of their Round 26 clash with Wigan. Gareth Widdop, Kenny Edwards, Alex Foster, Jacob Hookem, and Billy Tsikrikas are all absent this week. 

Liam Horne and Liam Watts are back in contention after completing their respective suspensions, whilst Sam Hall and George Lawler have both recovered from injuries picked up against Warrington in Round 24. And there's a first call up to the Tigers first team squad for academy product, Fletcher Rooney.

One Month to Go until the biggest night of the year! ?

The competition is wide open and whilst all roads lead to Old Trafford, no team is guaranteed a place there ? but you are ?#SuperLeague

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 14, 2023

Saturday 16 September

Hull FC v Huddersfield Giants (15.00) - MKM Stadium

Jake Clifford returns to the Hull FC squad following the completion of his one-match suspension last week, with youngster Lewis Martin also joining the squad. Skipper Carlos Tuimavave drops out after failing a head injury assessment in Round 25, with Zach Jebson also making way.

The Giants are without Luke Yates and Jack Ashworth for Saturday's trip to Hull after the pair picked up suspensions in Round 25, with Adam Milner returning to make up a 20-man Huddersfield squad.

Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos (17.00 UK) - Sky Sports Arena

Arthur Mourgue and Mickael Goudemand both drop out of the Catalans squad in Round 26. Tyrone May and Matt Ikuvalu come into the squad to replace them.

The Rhinos have been forced into making one change to their 21-man squad this week. Sam Walters is unavailable after receiving a one-match ban following last weekend's defeat against Wigan, with youngster Tom Nicholson-Watton linking up with the squad.

Saturday night #SuperLeague with two rounds left to secure a play-offs spot ?@hullkrofficial ? @SalfordDevils, live on @SkySportsRL Arena ? pic.twitter.com/OqBGJkZaZo
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 14, 2023

Hull KR v Salford Red Devils (19.30) - Sky Sports Arena

The Robins welcome Elliot Minchella and James Batchelor back into their squad ahead of Saturday's huge clash with Salford. The pair missed last weeks trip to Huddersfield through injury. Sauaso Sue also returns to the squad for the first time since Magic Weekend after recovering from a severe hamstring tear.

Jimmy Keinhorst drops out after picking up an ankle injury in Round 25, whilst Rowan Milnes and Luis Johnson also miss out.

Salford are boosted by the return of Kallum Watkins and Oliver Partington for their trip to Hull. Brad Singleton won't be available, however, after the club failed to overturn his one match suspension picked up against Warrington last week, whilst Adam Sidlow also drops out.