Play-Off Eliminators preview

The 2023 Betfred Super League Play-Offs have arrived! After a captivating regular season filled with drama, excitement and jeopardy, six teams remain. The Eliminators begin this week as four teams battle to book their place in the Semi-Finals and edge one step closer to a place at Old Trafford. 

6 teams dreaming of Old Trafford glory ?

The 2023 @Betfred #SuperLeague play-offs start Friday 29 September, live on @SkySportsRL & @C4Sport ? pic.twitter.com/sITb9GPvlJ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 23, 2023

Hull KR v Leigh Leopards

Friday 29 September, Sewell Group Craven Park, Sky Sports Main Event & Arena, 8pm

The Robins secured a home tie in this week's Eliminator in dramatic fashion on the final evening of the regular season. Leigh's defeat at home to eventual League Leaders Wigan Warriors coincided with Hull KR's big win away at relegated Wakefield Trinity, resulting in Willie Peters' side leapfrogging the Leopards on points difference to clinch fourth place. 

The two sides need no introductions to one another ahead of Friday Night - they have met three times in the league this year, as well as clashing in an unforgettable Challenge Cup Final last month.

Hull KR will be hoping to exact revenge on Leigh after their heart-breaking golden point Cup Final defeat. And Willie Peters has been able to name a near full strength side heading into Friday's fixture. 

Little to separate @hullkrofficial & @LeighLeopardsRL during the regular season ?

But only one can advance to the semi-finals in Friday's Play-Offs opener ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/8DnSsWGtbl
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 27, 2023

Rhys Kennedy re-joins the squad after missing last weeks trip to Wakefield, whilst Jimmy Keinhorst is also included having recovered from an ankle injury which has kept him out of action for the past two weeks. 

Dean Hadley drops out of the Robins squad after pulling up with a calf injury during the warm up in Round 27, with Rowan Milnes also missing out. 

There's still no Zak Hardaker for Leigh as he continues to recover from a hand injury which has kept him out of action for the last two weeks. Leopards skipper John Asiata is again included in the 21-man squad despite not featuring for the past three weeks due to an ongoing calf injury. 

Dream Team front rower Tom Amone is free to play on Friday Night after successfully overturning a one game suspension he received following last weeks game against Wigan.

Hull KR: Ethan Ryan, Tom Opacic, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Jordan Abdull, Sauaso Sue, Matt Parcell, George King, Kane Linnett, Elliot Minchella, Jez Litten, Rhys Kennedy, James Batchelor, Matty Storton, Jimmy Keinhorst, Mikey Lewis, Louis Senior, Sam Luckley, Yusuf Aydin, Jack Walker, Brad Schneider.

Leigh Leopards: Tom Briscoe, Ed Chamberlain, Josh Charnley, Joe Mellor, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Joe Wardle, Jack Hughes, John Asiata, Ben Nakubuwai, Ben Reynolds, Oliver Holmes, Gareth O'Brien, Matt Davis, Tom Nisbet, Kai O'Donnell, Ava Seumanufagai, Frankie Halton, Oliver Gildart.

Last 10 meetings:

Hull KR 52, Leigh 10 (SLR23, 25/8/23)

Hull KR 16, Leigh 17 (aet) (CCF, 12/8/23) (at Wembley Stadium)

Leigh 34, Hull KR 4 (SLR17, 30/6/23)

Hull KR 25, Leigh 30 (SLR3, 3/3/23)

Hull KR 24, Leigh 18 (CCR6, 26/3/22)

Hull KR 44, Leigh 6 (SLR23, 5/9/21) (at St James' Park, Newcastle)

Leigh 28, Hull KR 34 (SLR18, 8/8/21)

Hull KR 40, Leigh 16 (SLR8, 30/5/21)

Hull KR 22, Leigh 19 (CCR5, 15/3/20)

Hull KR 14, Leigh 10 (CCR5, 11/4/19)

St Helens v Warrington Wolves

Saturday 30 September, Totally Wicked Stadium, Channel 4 & Sky Sports Arena, 12.45pm

Despite an unblemished record during the final third of the regular season that saw St Helens win their remaining nine league fixtures, they enter the Play-Offs in the unfamiliar position of third place. 

That means for the first time in their four year title reign, Saints must win three games to achieve Grand Final glory. And their title defence begins with a clash against sixth placed Warrington. 

These two have Play-Offs history ?

Live on @SkySportsRL & @C4Sport this Saturday, @Saints1890 ? @WarringtonRLFC ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/mmQTuh0Nkw
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 27, 2023

The Wolves occupied top spot during the opening third of the season after romping to eight successive victories to start the year. Since then, they have struggled for consistency and scraped into the Play-Offs thanks a mini resurgence over the last month.

St Helens will go into the contest as heavy favourites having defeated the Wolves three times this year - including twice away from home.

Saturday afternoon will be Saints legends James Roby and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook final home fixture before the pair call time on their illustrious careers. 

Head coach Paul Wellens has made just one change to his 21-man squad following their Round 27 victory over Hull FC. George Delaney picked up a one-match suspension in that game and drops out of the squad, being replaced by Dan Norman.

Warrington are still without Dream Team prop Paul Vaughan as he continues to serve his four match suspension. Winger Matty Ashton returns to the squad after missing last weeks game against Huddersfield due to illness, but Josh Thewlis drops out through injury.

Both Peter Mata'utia and Gil Dudson are back on deck for the Wire having overcome their respective hamstring injuries.

St Helens: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Will Hopoate, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata'utia, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Curtis Sironen, James Bell, Dan Norman, Ben Davies, Sam Royle, Konrad Hurrell, Moses Mbye.

Warrington Wolves: Matty Ashton, Joe Bullock, Daryl Clark, Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Matt Dufty, James Harrison, Leon Hayes, Sam Kasiano, Peter Mata?utia, Thomas Mikaele, Greg Minikin, Matty Nicholson, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Matty Russell, Danny Walker, George Williams, Connor Wrench. 

Last 10 meetings:

Warrington 6, St Helens 18 (SLR26, 15/9/23)

Warrington 20, St Helens 24 (SLR18, 7/7/23)

St Helens 28, Warrington 6 (SLR10, 20/4/23)

Warrington 10, St Helens 12 (SLR13, 19/5/22)

St Helens 28, Warrington 2 (SLR5, 11/3/22)

Warrington 14, St Helens 24 (SLR22, 30/8/21)

St Helens 2, Warrington 6 (SLR10, 17/6/21)

St Helens 18, Warrington 20 (CCQF, 19/9/20) (at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford)

Warrington 19, St Helens 0 (SLR2, 6/2/20)

St Helens 4, Warrington 18 (CCF, 24/8/19) (at Wembley Stadium)