The Betfred Super League gets underway with some Wednesday evening action as Wakefield Trinity take on Castleford Tigers, live on Sky Sports.
Daryl Powell’s side come into the fixture on the back of four consecutive losses in the Super League but with a trip to Wembley Stadium for the Betfred Challenge Cup on the horizon.
Jason Qareqare made headlines in their defeat to Hull FC last weekend as the 17-year-old raced to a debut try inside the first minute and he is named in Powell’s squad again for their trip to Wakefield.
As for Trinity, they welcome back England hopeful Tom Johnstone after almost two months on the sidelines with concussion issues. Chris Chester’s side had won three consecutive fixtures until their defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium last Friday.
Castleford have dominated this fixture in recent seasons winning each of the last 14 meetings between the sides, including each of their last six visits to the Mobile Rocket Stadium.
Second-placed St Helens host fourth-placed Warrington Wolves on Thursday evening with both sides having won four of their last five Super League fixtures.
Warrington have won each of their last three meetings with St Helens including last year’s Challenge Cup Quarter Final and the 2019 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Veteran hooker James Roby – should be feature – will draw level with Super League legend Rob Burrow in 7th place of Super League’s all-time top appearance makers with 429.
On Friday evening, Ian Watson will face his former side Salford Red Devils whom he guided to the Betfred Super League and Betfred Challenge Cup Final across the last two seasons.
Since taking charge at Huddersfield, Watson has won just three of his eight Super League fixtures which came in consecutive fashion across May until a 38-12 defeat to Wakefield las time out.
Richard Marshall has endured a tough start to his reign at the AJ Bell Stadium with just one victory in the Super League coming against basement Leigh Centurions back in April. The Red Devils have shipped 102 points in their last two Super League outings.
Wigan Warriors host Hull Kingston Rovers in Friday’s second Super League fixture. Hull KR haven’t managed to come away from the DW Stadium with a win since 15 May, 2009.
Wigan’s perfect start to the season came to a shuddering halt last time out as they suffered a 48-0 defeat at the hands of Catalans Dragons in Perpignan. Tony Smith’s Rovers have won three of their last four outings and have 40 points in each of their last two victories against Leigh and Salford, respectively.
The final fixture the round sees Leigh Centurions face Hull FC with Kurt Haggerty’s men still in search of their first win of the season. A second half blitz from Catalans Dragons last Saturday saw Leigh fall to their tenth consecutive league defeat.
Hull FC currently sit in 5th spot with Brett Hodgson having won five of his eight Super League games in charge. The Airlie Birds are undefeated in their last six away meeting with the Centurions.
Betfred Super League Fixtures:
Wednesday 16 June
Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers – 7:45pm – Live on Sky Sports Arena
Thursday 17 June
St Helens v Warrington Wolves – 7:45pm – Live on Sky Sports Action
Friday 18 June
Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils – 7:45pm – Live on Our League
Wigan Warriors v Hull KR – 7:45pm – Live on Our League
Saturday 19 June
Leigh Centurions v Hull FC – 3pm – Live on Our League
