As the days count down to the England vs Combined Nations All-Stars clash at Warrington on Saturday, June 18, here's the last of our weekly look ahead to some cross-team battles coming up in Betfred Super League this weekend.
Friday - Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos - Ricky Leutele v Harry Newman
Ricky Leutele has been one of Huddersfield's top performers in 2022 and looks to be a certain selection at centre for the All Stars later this month. The 32-year-old has represented Samoa seven times and was part of the All Stars squad last year. He will be hoping to build on his ten tries from 16 games in all competitions this year against the Rhinos tomorrow night.
After an injury-hit start to 2022, Harry Newman has been named in the Rhinos' 21-man squad and he could make his first league appearance since March. That was his only competitive appearance of 2022 as he scored in Leeds' 34-18 win at Wakefield. Can he force his way into England reckoning again this year?
Friday - Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors - Ken Sio v Liam Marshall
A prolific pair of wingers are set for a blockbuster face-off in Friday night's Sky game. Ken Sio has continued to impress for Salford this year, following up his 20 tries from 20 league appearances in 2021 with an equally impressive 14 four-pointers from 14 games in 2022.
Sio also starred with two tries for the All Stars last year and will be hoping for more of the same on June 18.
But standing in his way will be the in-form Liam Marshall, whose double in the Challenge Cup semi-finals was followed up with the winning try in the final last month. The 26-year-old has also chipped in with two assists for his side this year on top off an eye-catching eight tries in his last five games. Will he make his England debut later this month?
Saturday - Catalans Dragons v Hull FC - Sam Tomkins v Joe Lovodua
Sam Tomkins, England's captain, has been his usual impressive self in Catalans' start to the season which has seen them clock ten wins from 14 games, sitting second in Super League. He has five assists to his name so far this year and will have his eye on collecting more as he looks to hit top form heading into the international week.
And with Jake Connor set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, the explosive and versatile Joe Lovodua could make his mark in the upcoming international clash. Lovodua, a Fiji-born off-season recruit, has featured in almost every position for Hull FC this year and is sure to be a useful asset to Ellery Hanley's side.
Sunday - St Helens v Hull KR - Tommy Makinson v Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Tommy Makinson only made his England debut in 2018, the year he won the Golden Boot, but he has emerged as one of the most assured and experienced heads in Shaun Wane's current England set-up. The 30-year-old winger is Super League's current top tryscorer with 15 and top pointscorer and is likely to take his place on the wing.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall will likely be in close quarters on the opposite side as the centre looks likely to make his first All Stars appearance. The 34-year-old, a 21-cap New Zealand international, will be hoping to lay down a marker for his club side this weekend.
Sunday - Wakefield Trinity v Warrington Wolves - David Fifita v Mike Cooper
Two hulking props are in line to clash on Sunday as Wakefield and David Fifita welcome Mike Cooper's Warrington, and they could well come head-to-head on June 18.
Fifita played for the Indigenous All Stars back in 2015 and will be hoping for a first All Stars appearance in the Northern Hemisphere in 2022. The 32-year-old prop has been one of Wakefield's most prominent performers this year and will be hoping to stake his claim for a place in the team with a strong outing this weekend.
Cooper meanwhile has been confirmed as a Wigan player from 2023 but he will be hoping to finish his time as a Warrington player in good form heading into the World Cup, starting this weekend. The 33-year-old has earned an England recall under Shaun Wane and started both England games last year.
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You can get tickets to watch England in action in their mid-season international against the Combined Nations All Stars at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday 18 June here.
