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Round 5 Preview

9 hrs

After a week out for the Fourth Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, the Betfred Super League is back!

And you can watch SIX of the seven games LIVE on SuperLeague+ this week! Let’s find out what’s coming up in Round 5…

Thursday 19 March

Wigan Warriors v York Knights (20.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

Wigan Warriors will look to continue their strong early-season momentum when they host York Knights on Thursday Night.

Matt Peet’s side have been in impressive form, winning all four of their league fixtures so far and scoring heavily on each occasion.

The Knights have made a competitive start to Super League, however, and will be eager to test themselves against at the home of the former champions…

Warriors general Harry Smith is set to make his 250th Super League appearance.

The Warriors have named an unchanged squad from the one selected for the Challenge Cup win over Bradford Bulls.

Meanwhile, there are some key changes to the Knights squad. Loanee, David Nofoaluma returns after being cup-tied last week, and Sam Cook comes in on loan from Newcastle Thunder. Captain, Liam Harris is ruled out through injury, while King Vuniyayawa drops out.

Playmaker Harris, who has taken his second stint in Super League by storm, will be a huge miss for Mark Applegarth and co.

Working towards Thursday night's clash at The Brick Community Stadium! ?

?? Secure your seat! ? https://t.co/MZLvisYokd #WWRL #SLWIGYOR pic.twitter.com/m1riLIr9zD
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) March 17, 2026

Friday 20 March

Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards (20.00) – live on Sky Sports

A tasty tie awaits live on Sky Sports this Friday Night as Leigh Leopards make a trip to the DIY Kitchens Stadium and take on Wakefield Trinity.

They last met in the Play-Off Eliminators last season, with the Leopards securing a 26-10 victory at the Leigh Sports Village.

Prior to this, the Leopards beat Wakefield in both league and Challenge Cup after two pulsating and close contests, although Trinity did triumph in their Round 6 encounter.

Both are aiming for Play-Off spots in 2026 – how crucial could these two points on offer become?

After making his injury comeback in the cup last Friday, Tom Johnstone is gearing up to reach an important milestone this Friday – 200 career appearances.

Trinity Head Coach, Daryl Powell welcomes back Tyson Smoothy into the 21-man squad after missing the past two games due to concussion protocols. Tray Lolesio drops out of the squad as he heads to Bradford Bulls on a one-week loan.

Bradford Bulls v Huddersfield Giants (20.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

We’re back at Bartercard Odsal in Round 5 with the Bulls hoping to put on another show when they entertain Huddersfield Giants under the Friday Night Lights.

Bradford have come out firing in the opening rounds of the 2026 Super League – marking their return to the big time in style and have matched their opponents in every league fixture they have played.

This week, they’ll host the 14th-placed Giants, who are suffering a major injury crisis at present.

It will be their first meeting since 2014.

The Bulls' new signings Tray Lolesio and Chris Atkin are included in the 21-man squad, alongside the returning Jayden Nikorima – who is poised to make his competitive debut in the red, amber and black!

For the Giants, they welcome Rhinos trio Presley Cassell, Ned McCormack and Riley Lumb into their squad, who join them on a week loan, with Zac Woolford also returning from HIA protocols.

?? | Our incredible supporters, behind us every step of the way!

? | We're looking to keep up our 100% home record this Friday and we need you at your best once again, Bulls fans!#RunWithTheBulls | ?? https://t.co/9bkFzJXfv2 | ©? @shotbybamboo pic.twitter.com/M98Fd0l4X5
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) March 17, 2026

Toulouse Olympique v St Helens (20.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

Toulouse face a tough test on home soil as they welcome St Helens in Round 5.

Saints will arrive in the south of France with three wins from their opening four matches as they look to establish themselves as leading contenders again this season.

The French side picked up impressive wins in Rounds 1 and Round 2 on their return to the top flight, but were unable to build on this in the following two rounds.

But backed by a home crowd on Friday, anything could happen!

Paul Rowley makes four changes to his Saints side.

Hookers Daryl Clark and Jake Burns both suffered failed Head Injury Assessments in their Challenge Cup match, with the pair stood down for this fixture and are currently following return-to-play protocols.

Back-rower Curtis Sironen also suffered a calf injury, which will force him to join the other injured Saints on the sidelines for a few weeks, whilst winger Kyle Feldt will begin his three-match penalty ban.

George Delaney is back available for selection, and four young products of the Saints Academy, Tom Humphreys, Billy Keeley, Cole Marsh and Chris Matagi are included in Rowley’s travelling squad. If any of them are selected to play in the match against Toulouse, it would be their senior debut with the club, and they would then be allocated an official squad number.

? ?-? : ?? ? ?????? ??

Dans 3 jours, nos Olympiens vous donnent rendez-vous au stade Ernest-Wallon pour la réception des @Saints1890 ??

? 17h30 : ouverture des portes
? 19h00 : coup d’envoi du match

? Vendredi, aucune excuse pour manquer ce choc ! ?‍↔?

? On… pic.twitter.com/u4Mc3Pr50i
— Toulouse Olympique (@TOXIII) March 17, 2026

Saturday 21 March

Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers (15.00) – live on BBC, Sky Sports and Super League+

Warrington Wolves, along with the Warriors, remain the only unbeaten teams in Super League. Will it stay that way after Round 5? Sam Burgess’ side must first get past the Tigers on Saturday.

Cas are searching for their second win of the season but have struggled to find form thus far.

Josh Simm was the man of the hour the last time these two teams clashed, with the Tigers defeating Wire 20-14 at the One Bore Stadium.

It is, however, going to be a tough task this time round as they travel to face a lively Wolves outfit.

Did you know that Marc Sneyd has scored points in his last 15 games against the Tigers (two for the Wolves, nine for Salford and four for Hull FC). This streak dates back to 2020.

Saturday could also be a special day for Joe Philbin, for if he features, he’ll be making his 250th appearance for his hometown club.

The hosts are also boosted by the inclusion of Wire flier Matty Ashton in the 21-man squad, who is in line to make his long-awaited return from an ACL injury on Saturday.

It will be Ashton's first appearance since May 2025 when he picked up the injury in our Challenge Cup semi final win over Leigh.

Toafofoa Sipley is ruled out for 6-8 weeks, however. Youngster Lachlan Webster keeps his place in the squad.

For the visitors, Louis Senior, Cain Robb, Fletcher Rooney and Alex Mellor remain out through injury, whilst Krystian Mapapalangi also misses out.

The other change sees Chris Atkin out due to his departure this week to Bradford Bulls - with Aidan Doolan and Jenson Windley getting the call for this one.

Catalans Dragons v Hull KR (17.30 UK) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

It’s a chance for Catalans Dragons to lay down a marker on home soil, but if the Robins hit their rhythm, then they could be flying home with an important two points.

It was a clean sweep of victories for the champions over the Dragons in 2025, with some heavy scorelines – 6-34 (Round 19), 68-6 (Round 14) and 12-36 (Challenge Cup Semi-Final).

At the moment, Catalans sit above Hull KR, but that could quickly change depending on the outcome of this Round 5 result…

Hull KR’s Jack Broadbent and Mikey Lewis are two ones to watch in Saturday’s fixture, as they have both scored tries in their sides' last three meetings with the Dragons.

Catalans will welcome back Julian Bousquet, Benjamin Garcia and Nick Cotric in Round 5, who replace Léo Darrélatour, Alexis Lis and Josh Simm.

There's only one change to the Robins' extended squad with Jordan Dezaria coming in to replace Rhyse Martin who picked up a foot injury in last week's match.

Hull KR en perspective ? pic.twitter.com/umqC3dekQK
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) March 17, 2026

Sunday 22 March

Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos (15.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

The Black & Whites’ clash with Leeds Rhinos sees out week 5 of the Super League action.

Both will be out for blood after their Challenge Cup losses last weekend, meaning their focus turns 100% to Super League moving forward.

The Rhinos have been on a roll where the league is concerned, but can Hull FC stop them with home advantage?

It was Leeds who completed the double over John Cartwright’s men last season (0-34 and 18-16).

There are more potential milestones on the horizon with Chris Hankinson needing one appearance to reach 250 for his career, whilst Ryan Hall needs just one try to reach 250 for the Rhinos club in all competitions.