Pre-Season Friendlies Preview (26-28 January)

As well as Round One of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup taking place, there are a number of pre-season friendlies happening this weekend for the teams who are still eagerly waiting for their season to begin.

Friday night will see a tasty rivals clash when Warrington Wolves host Widnes Vikings at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. It is rare that these two sides will ever meet in modern day unless it is a Betfred Challenge Cup game or a pre-season fixture like this one. Their last competitive meeting was in the Betfred Super League in 2018, where the Wolves triumphed 32-18 on home soil.

Nevertheless, it is a passionate derby game for all involved, with the important bragging rights at stake. And Widnes will have already built momentum following successful run outs against Cumbrian sides Workington and Whitehaven in recent weeks, as they go head-to-head with an ambitious Warrington – Sam Burgess’ first non-competitive game in charge.

Over to the DIY Kitchens Stadium, and Wakefield Trinity will be preparing for their first run out of 2024 in their new era, with their brand new Neil Fox Stand open to fans for the very first time. It is Trinity’s first return to action since their heart-breaking loss to Leigh Leopards in golden-point last year – a result that confirmed the side’s fate for the 2024 season, and they have been preparing for life in the Betfred Championship ever since.

Wakefield host current Super League Champions Wigan Warriors in what will be Matty Ashurst’s Testimonial match; the reliable second-rower entering his tenth season with the Trinity side. The Warriors were one of the four teams Trinity managed to beat last year, so it is expected to be an enticing clash, with both sides having ambitious visions for their upcoming campaigns.

A youthful Warriors outfit emerged victorious in their friendly over Midlands Hurricanes last weekend but Matt Peet could name a stronger side on Friday as they face a rejuvenated Trinity.

On Sunday, Batley Bulldogs are in action at home for Dale Morton’s Testimonial match. They will play Wakefield – one of Morton’s former sides, who will have a quick turnaround following their Wigan fixture on Friday. It is unusual for a team to do this, but it is predicted that Daryl Powell could utilise his entire Trinity squad over the long weekend – an opportunity to test out various new pairings and combinations, ahead of their first AB Sundecks 1895 Cup fixture next weekend. Likewise, the Bulldogs will be relishing one more opportunity before they entertain Featherstone Rovers in their first 1895 Cup game, as well as a chance to celebrate Dale Morton’s career.

Elsewhere, Huddersfield Giants host London Broncos on home soil. It will be interesting to see how these teams go on Sunday, following Huddersfield’s strong efforts and convincing win over Dewsbury last weekend, and the Broncos’ scrappy draw against Castleford Tigers, in which Emmanuel Waine was a stand-out star. Will they go with the same teams, and will the new faces continue to impress?

Then, over in East Hull, Hull KR will enjoy their first run out of 2024 hosting Sheffield Eagles. The sides last met in the Betfred Championship in 2017, before Hull KR’s instant return to the Betfred Super League.

Finally, at Odsal Stadium there is a huge fixture taking place, as Bradford Bulls continue their action-packed pre-season mission. The Bulls will host fierce rivals Leeds Rhinos in what will be their fourth pre-season fixture, and although the sides have competed in different leagues for almost ten years, there will no be love lost where these West Yorkshire teams are concerned.

They have contested in numerous pre-season ties, but their last competitive meeting came in the form of Bradford’s memorable 2019 sixth-round Challenge Cup win. The Bulls caused a remarkable cup upset that day, knocking the 14-time Challenge Cup winners and rivals Leeds out of the competition.

This fiery friendly is expected to draw a huge crowd on Sunday, where things could get heated between the two rivals...

Pre-season fixtures this weekend are as follows (Sunday 28 January unless stated):

Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings (Friday 26 January)

Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors (Friday 26 January)

Batley Bulldogs v Wakefield Trinity

Huddersfield Giants v London Broncos

Hull KR v Sheffield Eagles

Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos

Information and kick-off times regarding these pre-season fixtures and other upcoming friendlies can be found in the Rugby League Match Centre.