Round 4 preview

21 Apr 2021

Round 4 preview

Thursday 22 April

Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

Bevan French is once again included in the Warriors 21-man squad for Thursday, with head coach Adrian Lam revealing that the 2020 Man of Steel finalist is likely to play against Castleford.

Lam makes just the one change to his squad this week - Liam Byrne is back in contention after serving his one-match suspension in round 3. Tommy Leuluai is a doubt for the Warriors with a sternum issue - the Warriors captain will be assessed closely through the week before a decision is made. 

Daryl Powell will be without Jesse Sene-Lefao for Thursday's clash with Wigan after the forward was handed a one match suspension. Gareth O'Brien is also absent from the 21-man squad after picking up an injury during the Tigers 52-16 victory against the Centurions last week.

It's a welcome return to the 21-man squad for half-back Danny Richardson who is back in contention on Thursday. 20 year-old Brad Martin is the other new addition to the Tigers squad ahead of their match at the DW stadium. 

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Zak Hardaker, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Joe Bullock, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Oliver Partington, Morgan Smithies, Tony Clubb, Liam Byrne, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Jake Bibby, Mitch Clark, Joe Shorrocks, James McDonnell, Umyla Hanley, Jackson Hastings.

Castleford Tigers: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Michael Shenton, Jake Trueman, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Oliver Holmes, Cheyse Blair, Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, George Griffin, Tyla Hepi, Daniel Smith, Greg Eden, Jordan Turner, Lewis Bienek, Brad Martin, Sam Hall.

Last 10 meetings: Wigan have won 6, Castleford have won 4 - the Tigers haven't beat Wigan away from home since the 2017 season. 

Huddersfield Giants v St Helens (19:45) - Sky Sports Arena & Mix

Ian Watson has named an unchanged squad for Thursday's visit of St Helens. The Giants head coach has chosen to stick with the same squad that came agonisingly close to earning their first points of the 2021 campaign. 

Huddersfield are still without the services of Ricky Leutele, Ashton Golding and Joe Wardle (injury), whilst Joe Greenwood continues to serve his three match suspension. 

St Helens make one change to their squad ahead of Thursday's fixture against the Giants - Tommy Makinson misses out after suffering a minor foot injury during last weeks win against Wakefield. 

Sione Mata'utia comes in to replace Makinson after recovering from a head knock he picked up during Saints Challenge Cup victory against Leeds two weeks ago. 

Huddersfield Giants: Jermaine McGillvary, Jake Wardle, Darnell McIntosh, Lee Gaskell, Aidan Sezer, Luke Yates, Adam O'Brien, Michael Lawrence, Kenny Edwards, Josh Jones, Matty English, Jack Cogger, Chris McQueen, Jack Ashworth, James Cunningham, Oliver Wilson, Leroy Cudjoe, James Gavet Louis Senior, Sam Wood, Ronan Michael.

St Helens: Lachlan Coote, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Joel Thompson, James Bentley, Sione Mata’utia, LMS, Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Jack Welsby, Aaron Smith, Joe Batchelor, Lewis Dodd, Jake Wingfield, Dan Norman, Tom Nisbet.

Last 10 meetings: Huddersfield have won 2, St Helens have won 8 - Saints have won their last 4 away meetings with the Giants. 

Friday 23 April

Salford Red Devils v Leigh Centurions (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

John Duffy could hand a debut to new signing Anthony Gelling - the former Wolves centre has been included in their squad for Friday's visit to Salford. 

Joe Mellor and Adam Sidlow are both missing from the Leigh squad this week after the pair picked up injuries during their round 3 defeat against Castleford last week.

Andy Ackers failed to overturn his one match suspension following the Red Devils defeat to Catalans and will sit out their game against Leigh.

Elijah Taylor (shoulder) and Kallum Watkins (hand) will also miss Salford's round 4 fixture after picking up injuries last Saturday, as will Danny Addy as he strives to get fit following an injury picked up in the early rounds.

Salford Red Devils: Morgan Escare, Ken Sio, Krisnan Inu, Tui Lolohea, Kevin Brown, Lee Mossop, Seb Ikahihifo, Pauli Pauli, Ollie Roberts, Greg Burke, Josh Johnson, Chris Atkin, Elliot Kear, Harvey Livett, James Greenwood, Rhys Williams, Matt Costello, Jack Ormondroyd, Jack Wells, Darcy Lussick, Dec Patton. 

Leigh Centurions: Ryan Brierley, Matty Russell, Iain Thornley, Lewis Tierney, Ben Flower, Liam Hood, Mark Ioane, Ben Hellewell, Jordan Thompson, James Bell, Alex Gerrard, Matty Gee, Tyrone McCarthy, Craig Mullen, Keanan Brand, Nathan Peats, Ben Reynolds, Josh Simm, Anthony Gelling, Nathan Mason.

Last 10 meetings: Leigh have won 4, Salford have won 6 - Leigh haven't won away at Salford since a 38-6 victory at the Willows in 1983.

Hull Kingston Rovers v Leeds Rhinos (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

Brad Takairangi is in line to make his Super League debut on Friday Night after recovering from an injury sustained in pre season which has kept him out of action since their warm up match against Castleford.

Mikey Lewis (suspension) is out of the Rovers 21-man squad - as is Korbin Sims - after he picked up his second head knock in consecutive games last week. 

The Rhinos could welcome back as many as five players to their side against Hull KR on Friday Night. Konrad Hurrell and Ash Handley are included in the 21-man squad for the first time in 2021 after both recovering from injuries picked up during pre season.

Richie Myler, King Vuniyayawa and Bodene Thompson also return from injuries sustained over recent weeks - King Vuniyayawa could make his Super League debut if selected on Friday. 

Hull Kingston Rovers: Adam Quinlan, Ben Crooks, Greg Minikin, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Jordan Abdull, Albert Vete, Matt Parcell, Brad Takairangi, Kane Linnett, Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, George Lawler, George King, Matty Storton, Will Dagger, Ethan Ryan, Rowan Milnes, Luis Johnson, Muizz Mustapha, Jimmy Keinhorst.

Leeds Rhinos: Tom Briscoe, Konrad Hurrell, Ash Handley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kruise Leeming, Matt Prior, Alex Mellor, Rhyse Martin, Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler, Cameron Smith, King Vuniyayawa, Bodene Thompson, Alex Sutcliffe, Sam Walters, Luke Briscoe, James Donaldson, Jarrod O’Connor, Jack Broadbent, Morgan Gannon, Kyle Eastmond.

Last 10 meetings: Hull KR have won 3, Leeds have won 7 - The Rhinos have won 21 of their 29 meetings against the Robins. 

Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity (19:45) - Sky Sports Arena

The black and whites make just one change to their 21-man squad after their gruelling 90 minute golden point match against Warrington Wolves last Sunday.

Ligi Sao returns to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury picked up in round 2. He replaces fellow prop Jack Brown who was handed a one-match suspension following Hull FC's match with Warrington last week. 

Chris Chester will be without captain Jacob Miller for Friday's visit to Hull after the half-back injured his knee against Saints last week. He joins Bill Tupou, Tom Johnstone and Matty Ashurst who are also unavailable through injury.

Trinity will welcome back Kelepi Tanginoa from suspension for Friday's clash against Hull FC - as well as Max Jowitt and Liam Kay, who both return from injury.

Hull FC: Jake Connor, Bureta Faraimo, Carlos Tuimavave, Josh Griffin, Mahe Fonua, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Chris Satae, Andre Savelio, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone, Joe Cator, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Ben McNamara, Adam Swift, Josh Bowden, Cameron Scott, Jude Ferreira, Mitieli Vulikijapani.

Wakefield Trinity: Max Jowitt, Reece Lyne, Liam Kay, Mason Lino, David Fifita, Kyle Wood, Tinirau Arona, Kelepi Tanginoa, Joe Westerman, Jay Pitts, Eddie Battye, James Batchelor, Chris Green, Innes Senior, Jordy Crowther, Joe Arundel, Jack Croft, Brad Walker, Lee Kershaw, Ryan Hampshire, Sam Eseh. 

Last 10 meetings: Hull FC have won 7, Wakefield Trinity have won 3 - 3 of Hull FC's 7 wins have been by a single point. 

Saturday 24 April

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves (17:00 UK) - Sky Sports Arena

The Dragons make just one change to their 21-man squad for Saturday's visit of Warrington - Jordan Dezaria replaces Lambert Belmas. 

Steve McNamara is still without the services of Joel Tomkins through suspension, whilst Mickael Goudemand is sidelined through injury. 

The Wolves will be without Greg Inglis for at least another week - Steve Price revealed he will likely feature in the squad next week against Hull KR.

Warrington are also without Tom Lineham who is continuing to serve a three match suspension picked up in the Challenge Cup two weeks ago.

Catalans Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, Fouad Yaha, James Maloney, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Micky McIlorum, Juilan Bousquet, Matt Whitley, Mike McMeeken, Benjamin Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Benjamin Jullien, Paul Seguier, Matthieu Laguerre, Jason Baitieri, Sam Kasiano, Sam Tomkins, Jordan Dezaria.

Warrington Wolves: Sitaleki Akauola, Matty Ashton, Blake Austin, Rob Butler, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Toby King, Jake Mamo, Robbie Mulhern, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker, Gareth Widdop, Connor Wrench.

Last 10 meetings: Catalans have won 3, Warrington have won 6 and there has been 1 draw - The Dragons 3 wins have been in the last 5 matches, including their 2018 Challenge Cup Final victory against the Wolves.