Men

Round 1 Preview

14 Feb 2024

Betfred Super League is back! It's been over four months since Wigan Warriors were crowned Champions under the lights at Old Trafford, and now 12 teams, including the newly-promoted London Broncos, will kick-off their 2024 campaigns in style this upcoming weekend.

It's been a long and arduous pre-season but one which has seen rugby league enter a ground-breaking new era, as there are now more ways to watch more matches than ever before. It's an exciting time for the sport of rugby league as for the first time EVER, fans will be able to watch every game LIVE thanks for coverage from Sky Sports, BBC and RL Commercial's new streaming service SuperLeague+, elevating the sport to new heights and wider audiences.

With the eagerly-anticipated season finally upon us, here's the first preview of what you can expect from an action-packed Round 1...

Thursday 15 February

Hull FC v Hull KR (20.00) - live on Sky Sports

The new Super League season will kick off in emphatic fashion with a highly-anticipated Hull derby at FC's MKM Stadium, live on Sky Sports.

Hull FC have won their opening Super League game across nine of the last 10 seasons and will be looking to add to this success when they host their local enemies in front of an opening round record-breaking crowd.

Last time out on home turf, it was one to forget for Tony Smith's team, who were thrashed 40-0 by their inner-city rivals. The Black and Whites would soon exact revenge however, going on to triumph in the reverse fixture thanks to a 16-6 win at Sewell Group Craven Park.

The Robins will be determined to prevent a reoccurrence of that derby day defeat when Round 1 comes around and will be hoping will be able to replicate their 2023 success, which included a Challenge Cup Final appearance and play-off semi-final berth.

There are fresh faces on both sides, and Tony Smith has named several new faces in his 21-man squad, all of whom are set to make their competitive home debuts for the Black and Whites. Fa'amanu Brown, Herman Ese'ese, Franklin Pele, Jayden Okunbor, Jack Ashworth and Morgan Smith are all named, with Jack Walker also in line to make his second debut for the club. FC will be without Liam Tindall, Carlos Tuimavave and Brad Fash through injury, while Jake Trueman and Mitieli Vulikijapani continue their recovery from longer-term issues.

Hull KR meanwhile are set to hand competitive debuts to new signings Peta Hiku, Niall Evalds, Oliver Gildart, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa, Tyrone May and Joe Burgess, as they make a short trip across the city.

But which team will triumph and take the all-important derby spoils?

Hull FC: Tex Hoy, Liam Sutcliffe, Darnell McIntosh, Fa'amanu Brown, Herman Ese'ese, Danny Houghton, Franklin Pele, Jayden Okunbor, Ligi Sao, Joe Cator, Jordan Lane, Jack Ashworth, Cam Scott, Morgan Smith, Jack Brown, Will Gardiner, Davy Litten, Nick Staveley, Lewis Martin, Zach Jebson, Jack Walker.

Robins: Peta Hiku, Niall Evalds, Tom Opacic, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hall, Mikey Lewis, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, George King, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Matt Parcell, Jai Whitbread, Yusuf Aydin, Kelepi Tanginoa, Corey Hall, Tyrone May, Louix Gorman, Leo Tennison, Joe Burgess.

Friday 16 February

Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils (20.00) - live on Sky Sports

The Rhinos meet the Red Devils in the opening round for the first time since 2007, and it's going to be a fiery encounter between Leeds and Salford on Friday, as high-profile recruits Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft are set to make their competitive Rhinos debuts against their former side.

Likewise, Nene MacDonald is set to feature for Salford against his ex-employers, so who knows what could unfold under the floodlights at AMT Headingley Stadium.

Both teams endured a disappointing end to last year's campaign, as neither side could accumulate enough points to secure a spot in the Play-Offs. They will be aiming to right these wrongs in 2024, and Round 1 is the perfect opportunity to hit the ground running and it promises to be a thrilling and tense battle.

Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, David Fusitu'a, Harry Newman, Paul Momirovski, Ash Handley, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, James Bentley, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O'Connor, Sam Lisone, Justin Sangare, Mickael Goudemand, Jack Sinfield, Leon Ruan, Luis Roberts, James Donaldson, Alfie Edgell.

Red Devils: Ryan Brierley, Nene MacDonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Cade Cust, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Amir Bourouh, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Oli Partington, Chris Atkin, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks, Jack Ormondroyd, Ben Hellewell, Andrew Dixon, Matty Foster, Kai Morgan, Chris Hankinson, Nathan Connell.

Leigh Leopards v Huddersfield Giants (20.00) - live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

Leigh's headline signing Matt Moylan will entertain the home crowd on Friday night, as the Leopards look to kickstart their season with a win, when they go head to head with a strong Huddersfield Giants side.

The Leopards won both of their Super League clashes with Huddersfield Giants last season, scoring 30+ points in each of their victories, but Huddersfield have recruited strongly in the off-season and will be determined to build on last season's disappointment.

There may be an element of expectation on the Leopards, who enjoyed a magnificent first season back in Super League last year, but the Giants should not be underestimated in this enticing encounter.

Leopards: Gareth O'Brien, Tom Briscoe, Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele, Josh Charnley, Matt Moylan, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Kai O'Donnell, Jack Hughes, John Asiata, Dan Norman, Matt Davis, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Ben Nakubuwai, Ed Chamberlain, Ben McNamara, Umyla Hanley.

Giants: Jake Connor, Adam Swift, Esan Marsters, Kevin Naiqama, Adam Clune, Chris Hill, Adam Milner, Jack Murchie, Sam Hewitt, Ashton Golding, Matty English, Olly Wilson, Seb Ikahihifo, Thomas Deakin, Elliot Wallis, Leroy Cudjoe, Harvey Livett, Oli Russell, Sam Halsall, Fenton Rogers, Hugo Salabio.

St Helens v London Broncos (20.00) - live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

This game marks a return to the big time for the London Broncos when they travel to face a strong St Helens, who are a side that mean business in 2024.

It is the Broncos' first Super League game since 2019, where they won their opening match that same season when they came from behind to beat Wakefield, 42-24. Notably, London have also won their last two Super League matches against St Helens (both in 2019), so could this be third time lucky for the Broncos or will Saints prove to be too strong?

The Saints' three new recruits could all make their first official appearances for their debuts with the Club on Friday - Waqa Blake, Daryl Clark and Matt Whitley, whereas London could offer competitive debuts to Lee Kershaw, Jack Campagnolo, Hakim Miloudi, Rhys Kennedy - with Robbie Storey, James Meadows and Sadiq Adebiyi set to make their second debuts, as they return to the club for 2024.

Saints: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Waqa Blake, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Sione Mata'utia, James Bell, Curtis Sironen, Jake Wingfield, Matt Whitley, George Delaney, Ben Davies, Sam Royle, Konrad Hurrell, Jake Burns, Tee Ritson.

Broncos: Lee Kershaw, Dan Hoyes, Jack Campagnolo, Sam Davis, Matt Davies, Robbie Storey, Hakim Miloudi, Iliess Macani, Oliver Leyland, James Meadows, Rob Butler, Marcus Stock, Will Lovell, Jarred Bassett, Jack Hughes, Emmanuel Waine, Sadiq Adebiyi, Rhys Kennedy, Jordan Williams, Dean Parata, Jensen Monk.

Saturday 17 February

Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors (17:30) - live on BBC Two, Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

The defending Super League Champions Wigan Warriors will travel to Castleford Tigers' Mend-A-Hose Jungle fortress on Saturday, where they look to win their eighth consecutive Super League game against the Tigers. 

If they do, the Warriors will break the record of their longest victorious streak in the competition. Matt Peet's are currently enjoying an 11 game winning run in the Betfred Super League and have only done this on two other occasions in 1998 and 2013, respectively.

This will also be the first Super League game broadcast live on the BBC, following a recent three-year broadcast partnership which for the first time includes regular live coverage of the Betfred Super Leagues.

Castleford will look to kick off their campaign with a home win and bounce back after last year - a year which saw them narrowly survive the dreaded relegation drop. But it will be a tough test for the Tigers, as they come up against a dominant Wigan side who are looking to win it all in 2024.

Tigers: Luke Hooley, Josh Simm, Jack Broadbent, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Danny Richardson, Jacob Miller, Liam Watts, George Lawler, Elie El-Zakhem, Joe Westerman, Liam Horne, Nixon Putt, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha, Charbel Tasipale, Jason Qareqare, Cain Robb, Brad Martin, Samy Kibula, Albert Vete.

Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Brad O'Neill, Liam Byrne, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Mike Cooper, Patrick Mago, Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Ryan Hampshire, Zach Eckersley, Tom Forber.

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves (17:30) - Sky Sports and SuperLeague+, L'EquipeTV in France, and TV3 in Spain.

Catalans, last year's Grand Final runners-up, will enjoy home advantage in Round 1 as they take on Sam Burgess' Warrington Wolves.

Wolves fans will have bittersweet memories of their last outing in Perpignan, as although it ended in an eight consecutive victory with a large and optimistic travelling support, this Round 8 fixture also marked a drastic turning point in their season. What followed would be the Wolves falling from the top spot to further down the table, Daryl Powell leaving his head coach position and the Wolves only just managing to secure a play-off place.

But, fast forward to 2024, and there is positivity revolving around the club once more. New head coach Sam Burgess is aiming to start their season strongly and this will start on Saturday in the south of France when they face a strong Dragons outfit, who will be hoping they can go one step further this season.

Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Arthur Romano, Matthieu Laguerre, Fouad Yaha, Jayden Nikorima, Theo Fages, Mike McMeeken, Micky McIlorum, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Paul Seguier, Alrix Da Costa, Bayley Sironen, Romain Navarrete, Chris Satae, Matt Ikuvala, Jordan Dezaria, Tom Johnstone, Jordan Abdull, Franck Maria. 

Wolves: Matty Ashton, Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Matty Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, James Harrison, Leon Hayes, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Arron Lindop, Zane Musgrove, Joe Philbin, Sam Powell, Stefan Ratchford, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, George Williams, Connor Wrench.

Fans can find all the relevant information and kick-off times for these Round 1 fixtures here.

For information on SuperLeague+ and how to purchase your passes, click here.

Magic WKND Day Two Round Up

5 hrs

Magic WKND Day Two Round Up
Highlights | Tigers v Trinity

5 hrs

Highlights | Tigers v Trinity
Highlights | Warriors v Wolves

5 hrs

Highlights | Warriors v Wolves
Highlights | Giants v Hull FC

5 hrs

Highlights | Giants v Hull FC
Super Sunday for Magic’s return to Newcastle

12 hrs

Super Sunday for Magic’s return to Newcastle