Pre-Season Testimonial Matches Preview

Four testimonial matches are taking place this weekend (2-4 February), as well other pre-season friendlies.

The last of the pre-season friendlies are underway this weekend, with four testimonial games taking place - as we are just a fortnight away from 2024 Betfred Super League's opening round!

But firstly, Betfred League One’s Hunslet will entertain rivals Leeds Rhinos on Friday night, as Hunslet have a week in between their two AB Sundecks 1895 Cup group fixtures. The two sides will compete for the Harry Jepson OBE Memorial Cup, in what is their annual pre-season contest.

Onto the Super League sides, and Warrington Wolves are in action again and have named a strong side, as they host Leigh Leopards on Saturday in Joe Philbin's Testimonial Match. Philbin joined his hometown club just aged 15, progressing through the Academy system and making his first team debut in 2014. He has since made 191 appearances for the Wolves, with a few highlights being lifting the League Leaders' Shield in 2016 and famously scoring the opening try in 2019's Challenge Cup victory against St Helens, as well as making numerous appearances for both England and Great Britain.

Philbin was granted a testimonial in September last year, as he targets a big year for both himself and the ambitious Warrington outfit.

This game will also be a chance for current Betfred Challenge Cup holders Leigh Leopards to put their pre-season preparations into practice, as they aim for another successful year.

Over in East Yorkshire and Scott Taylor will be honoured in his Testimonial Match, as the Black and Whites take on current Champions Wigan Warriors - one of Taylor's former sides. Following away pre-season friendlies against Bradford and Doncaster in January, Hull FC will return to the MKM Stadium for the first time in 2024, to celebrate their stalwart prop's career.

Scott Taylor, who retired from Rugby League in 2023, spent an eight-year spell with his hometown club Hull FC, before going on to make 54 appearances for the Warriors between 2013 and 2014, where he achieved both Grand Final and Challenge Cup success. Taylor then returned to his boyhood club in 2016 where he would famously win a further two Challenge Cup Finals, becoming one of their key players in the pack and an all-round leader.

This pre-season encounter will also be a chance for fans to see Hull FC's new recruits in action on home soil, with Wigan also expected to name a stronger side in what will be their first friendly test against Super League opposition.

James Donaldson's Testimonial Match is also taking place on Sunday when Leeds Rhinos return to action for the second time this weekend, and face Hull KR at AMT Headingley Stadium. Donaldson has played five seasons in Rhinos colours, four seasons for the Robins - and 15 seasons as a professional player in total, agreeing to a one year contract extension last year, which will now see him celebrate his testimonial in 2024.

Also in West Yorkshire, there is a local derby game between Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants. As two teams who have enjoyed their fair share of convincing wins throughout the 2024 pre-season, who will come out on top as we countdown to the 2024 Super League season?

Paul McShane will also be honoured on home turf, as he will take to the field in his Testimonial Match, in front of the Tigers fans. McShane has made over 340 career appearances, and linked up with the Tigers in 2015, becoming an integral part of their side ever since. His performances in a Castleford shirt have earned him international call-ups, a 2020 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Award, and veteran McShane enjoyed a taste of success with the Tigers in a memorable 2017 season - where the Tigers won the League Leaders' Shield for the first time and participated in their maiden Grand Final.

Elsewhere, it will be a final pre-season clash for St Helens and Salford Red Devils, as the two sides go head-to-head at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday, with the opportunity to test out new pairings and combinations ahead of their respective Round 1 matches later on this month. Catalans Dragons also return to action, as they host a pre-season friendly game at the Stade Gilbert Brutus against players from the French Elite 1 Championship, where a handful of their high-profile signings will feature for the first time. And London Broncos will travel to Oldham, where they will have one last run-out in their final friendly of 2024.

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

Fans can find all the relevant information, dates and kick-off times for Round 1 this month, as we eagerly count down to the start of the 2024 Betfred Super League campaign.