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Rivals Round Preview

28 Mar 2024

Rivals Round Preview

Betfred Super League is hotting up and expect it to get even hotter with Rivals Round this Easter weekend. 

There will be no love lost in Rivals Round, as six blockbuster clashes are set to take place - two are already sell outs and more bumper crowds are expected with electrifying atmospheres. 

As always, fans can watch ALL six games LIVE - you won't want to miss this huge round of Super League action!

Thursday 28 March

Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos (20.00) - live on Sky Sports and FREE on SuperLeague+

Get your sporting fix with a fiery West Yorkshire derby as Castleford Tigers play hosts to Leeds Rhinos - and fans can watch this match for FREE on SuperLeague+!

It's set to be a scintillating battle as the Tigers will be desperately seeking their first league win of the campaign, whilst the Rhinos will be looking to bounce back following back-to-back losses to St Helens.

Rohan Smith has named an unchanged 21-man squad for his side's trip to the Jungle, whereas Castleford make just one change to the team who won against Batley in Round 6 of the Challenge Cup last Saturday.

New recruit Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi comes in for an injured Luke Hooley and could feature for the first time, and Josh Hodson could also make his Super League debut for the Tigers.

Under the floodlights at the Jungle in front of a packed out crowd, who will come out on top?

Friday 29 March

Hull KR v Hull FC (12.30) - live on Sky Sports

The Good Friday tradition continues as the highly-anticipated and SOLD-OUT Hull derby makes its return! With the Black and Whites looking to enact revenge for Round 1's disappointing defeat, it's set to be a cracker!

The sides only met last month, but the feeling of a Hull derby never gets old for the inner-city rivals!

But will history repeat itself once more? Last time out saw Hull FC nilled on their home patch back in February by their nearest and dearest, but as fans will remember this also happened in 2023 - before FC then went on to convincingly beat the Robins at Sewell Group Craven Park.

Hull KR come into this game full of confidence on the back of an empathic Challenge Cup Round 6 win over Salford and a hard fought league victory against Huddersfield in Round 5. They have named an extremely strong team for this encounter, as they look to make it back-to-back wins over the Black and Whites in quick succession. 

Ben Reynolds has also been included in the 21-man squad for the first time and could make his Robins debut.

It was a derby win for the Robins in Round 1.

Hull FC, on the other hand, will need to improve massively on their recent performances if they are to be in with a chance. Tony Smith's men suffered an early exit in the Challenge Cup after a 50-6 thrashing away Huddersfield, and prior to this a 4-54 home defeat to Leigh Leopards.

They will need to right these wrongs quickly and raise their game for the occasion, and are boosted by the return of Franklin Pele and Jack Ashworth who return from their respective suspensions.

With bragging rights in the city at stake, who will want it more on the day?


St Helens v Wigan Warriors (15.00) - live on Sky Sports

The emotions and passion will carry on when the famous St Helens versus Wigan derby returns on Good Friday, as two of the league's top teams battle it out at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

An Easter tradition, the Good Friday meeting between the two Super League heavyweights is a historic and storied rivalry - and has created some of the most memorable moments in the Super League era.

Both dominant forces in the Super League and aiming for a season of silverware and success, this hotly-anticipated and SOLD OUT clash is expected to be a high quality and blistering contest.

It was one a piece last year where results in the St Helens v Wigan derbies were concerned, with both sides emerging as victors on their home patches last time out.

Tommy Makinson and Mark Percival return to Paul Wellens' 21-man squad, as James Bell and Tee Ritson drop out this week. And Warriors Head Coach Matt Peet makes just one change to his winning side as Jai Field comes back into the team for Round 6. 

As Saints look to continue continue their fine form following two successive wins over Leeds Rhinos in both the league and cup competitions, Wigan will look to make it an incredible 16 Super League wins on the bounce. It's going to get heated!

The Warriors enjoyed the Easter derby spoils last year.

Saturday 30 March

Warrington Wolves v Catalans Dragons (15.00) - live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport and the Red Button, Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

Warrington will aim to make it five consecutive Super League wins at the weekend when they welcome Catalans Dragons to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. 

The Wolves have enjoyed a strong start to the season and have only lost once, which was interestingly at the hands of the Dragons in Round 1. 

Likewise, Steve McNamara's men have only endured one defeat in 2024 and will be hoping to reproduce something similar to their 16-10 opening victory against the Wolves in February.

Star half-backs George Williams and Josh Drinkwater will return to the Wolves team for this weekend's clash.

Salford Red Devils v Leigh Leopards (17.30) - live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

Fans are in for a treat as Super League Saturday continues into the evening with Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards going head-to-head at the Salford Stadium. A local rivalry will be renewed and it's one that should certainly live up to its expectations. 

2023 saw a series of tight encounters unfold between the two - both teams clinching victory by two points on both occasions, so expect another classic and dramatic contest. 

The Leopards will be aiming for back-to-back wins against Salford Red Devils in Super League for the first time in the history of the competition, following their 22-24 victory when they last met.

Salford's Gil Dudson, who recently joined the club on loan from Warrington Wolves, will miss out due to injury, with Kai Morgan back in his place.

And there's positive news for Red Devils supporters as Ryan Brierley is included in the 21-man squad. Brierley limped off in last Friday's cup match against Hull KR, but is part of Paul Rowley's squad for Saturday as he prepares to face his former club once again.

Sunday 31 March

London Broncos v Huddersfield Giants (15.00) - live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+.

Rivals Round will conclude with a tense clash between the capital city and birthplace of Rugby League on Sunday.

A winless Broncos will welcome Ian Watson's Giants to the Cherry Red Records Stadium and will be hoping to kick-start their season with a victory in Round 6.

Huddersfield, on the other hand, come into this game on the back of an emphatic Challenge Cup win over Hull FC last weekend, but had suffered a league loss prior to this against Hull KR.

The Giants have won the last 15 meetings between the two sides and will hope to make it 16, as they look to climb the league ladder and challenge at the top end of the table.

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

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


Read more on Rivals Round with:

Rivals Round: Coaching against your hometown club

Rivals Round: Best of both worlds

Rivals Round: Paul Cooke's Perspective

Rivals Round: Checkout a DOUBLE rivalry

Rivals Round: Crossing the divide


Watch more on Rivals Round with:

Rivals Round | Read My Lips | Tigers v Rhinos

Rivals Round | Read My Lips | Saints v Wigan

Every Rivals Round try from 2022

Every Rivals Round try from 2023

Good Friday 2004 | 20 Years On


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