Round 26 Preview

15 Aug 2019

Round 26 Preview

Key Stats and Team News ahead of Round 26.

Thursday: Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens (Live on Sky Sports, 7:45PM)

Leeds Rhinos go into this fixture with confidence after two consecutive victories see them four points above the relegation zone, their opponents Saints, have already secured the League Leaders’ Shield and will be looking to add another piece of silverware to the collection next week in the Challenge Cup Final. 

Morgan Knowles returns to the Saints squad after missing their last three victories due to injury, he replaces Joseph Paulo who picked up a hamstring injury last weekend. Alex Walmsley, Lachlan Coote, and James Roby are still missing. 

Brad Singleton is suspended for Leeds after he picked up a red card in their home victory against Catalans last week, Stevie Ward is back in the 19-man squad, joined by Nathaniel Peteru and Cameron Smith who both missed out last week. 

Saints’ Zeb Taia is one appearance away from his 300th career appearance, his team mate Knowles needs one to make his 100th Super League appearance. Jonny Lomax needs two tries to reach 100 Super League tries. 

Leeds highest score: 74-16 (H, 2001) (Widest margin: 70-0, H, 2004)

St Helens highest score: 62-18 (H, 1999) (Widest margin: 56-10, H, 2004)

Friday: Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves (Live on Sky Sports, 7:45PM)

Wigan Warriors will be hoping Warrington Wolves have an eye on next week’s Challenge Cup Final, a win for Wigan will take them level on points with Warrington who currently sit in second-place.

Wigan make one change to their squad with Chris Hankinson replacing the injured Ben Flower. Joe Burgess is named in the squad but faces a late fitness test with a pectoral injury. 

Warrington will be without Blake Austin and Josh Charnley, Matty Smith made his debut for Warrington in their defeat against his old club St Helens last week. Jack Hughes is also out of the squad as he is recovering from a ruptured testicle.  

Wigan highest score: 58-4 (H, 2002) (also widest margin)

Warrington highest score: 47-38 (H, 2001) (Widest margin: 40-10, H, 2016)

Saturday: Catalans Dragons vs London Broncos (Live on Sky Sports, 5PM)

Catalans Dragons have lost two of their last three matches, conceding 40 points or more in their two losses. However, they return to Perpignan and will face bottom of the table London Broncos who have lost their last two matches. 

Catalans Dragons highest score: 48-22 (H, 2011) (Widest margin: 46-4, H, 2014)

London Broncos highest score: 38-16 (A, 2007) (Widest margin: 36-14, H, 2006; 38-16, A, 2007)

Saturday: Salford Red Devils vs Hull FC (5PM)

Salford Red Devils currently sit in fifth place, the last playoff position. They’re currently on a four-game winning streak which started with a win at Warrington Wolves. 

Lee Radford’s Hull FC are currently in third place, level on points with Warrington who are ahead of them on points difference. 

Super League’s top try-scorer Niall Evalds and team mate Logan Tomkins are one appearance away from making his 150th Super League appearance, Krisnan Inu has been in fine form for Salford since signing from Widnes Vikings, he’s one try away from 100 career tries. 

Hull FC highest score: 82-6 (H, 2004) (also widest margin)

Salford highest score: 54-18 (A, 2017) (also widest margin)

Sunday: Huddersfield Giants vs Castleford Tigers (3PM)

Simon Woolford’s Huddersfield Giants will be feeling the pressure, they’ve lost their last two games, only managing to score 12 points, and two points away from London at the bottom. 

Castleford have won three out of four games; their only loss came against Hull KR in golden point time. 

Huddersfield highest score: 64-12 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)

Castleford highest score: 52-6 (H, 2012); 52-16 (H, 2017) (Widest margin: 52-6, H, 2012)

Sunday: Hull KR vs Wakefield Trinity (3PM)

Hull KR are two points off the bottom of the table, with their opponents Wakefield only above them on points difference. 

Danny McGuire is nine points away from reaching 1,000 Super League points, he’s scored 33 of those for Hull KR. 

Hull KR highest score: 70-14 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)

Wakefield highest score: 54-18 (H, 2018) (also widest margin)