Round 5 preview

Thursday 29 April

Wigan Warriors v Hull FC (19:45) - Sky Sports Main Event & Arena

Adrian Lam makes just one change to the squad that beat Castleford Tigers in round 4 - Tommy Leuluai has picked up a sternum injury and is replaced by outside back Sam Halsall. 

Winger and long-term absentee Dom Manfredi is close to a return to action for the Warriors, but Adrian Lam insists they will not rush him back to action despite the importance of having the winger available to his side.

Hull FC head coach Brett Hodgson has been forced to make two changes to his 21-man squad ahead of Thursday's clash. Bureta Faraimo (suspension) and Josh Bowden (injury) both make way following the black and whites 20-14 win against Wakefield Trinity last week.

The pair are replaced by Jack Brown - who returns after serving a one-match suspension - and academy player Harvey Barron - the youngster making his first career appearance in the Hull FC 21-man squad.

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Zak Hardaker, 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, Sam Halsall, James McDonnell, Umyla Hanley, Jackson Hastings.

Hull FC: Jake Connor, 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, Jack Brown, Adam Swift, Cameron Scott, Jude Ferreira, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Harvey Barron.

Last 10 meetings: Wigan have won 8, Hull FC have won 2 - Hull's only win in the sides last 5 meetings was a golden point victory at the DW stadium in 2019. 

Friday 30 April

Leigh Centurions v St Helens (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

Junior Sa'u could make his first Betfred Super League appearance in 2021 for the Centurions on Friday after being included in John Duffy's 21-man squad.

Nathaniel Peteru also returns the Leigh squad for Friday's clash - but the Centurions will be without half-back Joe Mellor who remains side lined with a hamstring injury. 

St Helens welcome back Tommy Makinson to their 21-man squad - the England international missed Saints round 4 win against Huddersfield with a foot injury. Makinson replaces Joel Thompson in the squad who makes way due to injury.

Youngster Ben Davies replaces Tom Nisbet in the only other change to Kristian Woolf's 21-man squad ahead of their trip to the Leigh Sports Village on Friday. 

Leigh Centurions: Ryan Brierley, Matty Russell, Iain Thornley, Junior Sa’u, Lewis Tierney, Ben Flower, Liam Hood  Mark Ioane, Ben Hellewell, Jordan Thompson, James Bell, Matty Wildie, Alex Gerrard, Nathaniel Peteru, Matty Gee, Nathan Mason, Tyrone McCarthy, Craig Mullen, Nathan Peats, Ben Reynolds, Anthony Gelling.

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

Last 10 meetings: Leigh have won 3, St Helens have won 7 - the Centurions beat Saints (24-16) the last time the two sides met at the Leigh Sports Village in 2017.

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— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 28, 2021

Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons (18:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

Loan signings Olly Ashall-Bott and Josh Eaves could make their Trinity debuts on Friday after being included in Chris Chester's 21-man squad following their arrivals at the club this week. 

Ashall-Bolt will provide much needed cover in the backs after Ryan Hampshire suffered a suspected broken jaw during their defeat to Hull FC last week. Bill Tupou also returns to the Trinity squad for the first time since their Challenge Cup loss to the Dragons three weeks ago. 

Steve McNamara makes two changes to his 21-man squad following the Dragons first defeat of the season at home to the Wolves last week.

Joel Tomkins returns from suspension and replaces the injured Matt Whitley. Joe Chan comes in to replace Benjamin Jullien in the only other change for the Dragons, as they look to bounce back against Trinity on Friday. 

Wakefield Trinity: Max Jowitt, Bill Tupou, 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, Lee Kershaw, Olly Ashall-Bott, Josh Eaves, Sam Eseh.  

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

Last 10 meetings: Wakefield have won 3, Catalans have won 7 - the Dragons have won the last 6 meetings between the 2 sides.

Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers (19:45) - Sky Sports Arena

Daryl Powell makes three changes to his 21-man squad after falling short against the Warriors in round 4. Jesse Sene-Lefao returns from suspension, Lewis Peachey is back in the squad following a two week loan at Championship side York, and Gareth O'Brien is back in contention after recovering from an injury picked up in round 3 against Leigh.

Jordan Turner and Daniel Smith make way from the squad this week along with Tyla Hepi - the forward picked up a two-match suspension after the Tigers defeat against Wigan last Thursday. 

Niall Evalds is in line to take on his former side for the first time after being named in the Tigers 21-man squad ahead of Friday's clash with Salford. 

Richard Marshall welcomes back a trio of first team players for round 5 against the Tigers - Kallum Watkins, Andy Ackers and Danny Addy are back in the Red Devils 21-man squad.

However, Salford will still be without Elijah Taylor for Friday's fixture - the loose-forward continues to struggle with a shoulder problem and is unavailable to head coach Richard Marshall.

Salford Red Devils: Morgan Escare, Ken Sio, Kallum Watkins, Krisnan Inu, Tui Lolohea, Kevin Brown, Lee Mossop, Andy Ackers, Seb Ikahihifo, Pauli Pauli, Danny Addy, Ollie Roberts, Greg Burke, Josh Johnson, Chris Atkin, Elliot Kear, Harvey Livett, James Greenwood, Rhys Williams, Jack Ormonroyd, Darcy Lussick.

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, Jesse Sene-Lefao Greg Eden, Lewis Bienek, Lewis Peachey, Brad Martin, Sam Hall, Gareth O’Brien.

Last 10 meetings: Salford have won 4, Castleford have won 6 - the Tigers beat the Red Devils 37-30 in the sides only meeting last season.

Salford Red Devils and Castleford Tigers will go head to head once again at Dacia Magic Weekend in Newcastle - and this year it means more. You can purchase your tickets here.

2021 in Newcastle! 🥳@daciauk #MagicWeekend tickets on sale now! 👇 #SuperLeague
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 20, 2021

Saturday 1 May

Warrington Wolves v Hull Kingston Rovers (13:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

Greg Inglis is expected to make his long-awaited debut for Warrington in round 5 after Steve Price confirmed Inglis would be included in their 17-man squad against Hull KR. 

Inglis has not played a competitive match since retiring over two years ago and the Wolves have remained cautious since his arrival to ensure he is fully match fit before introducing the star centre to Super League. 

Albert Vete will be unavailable for Tony Smith's side ahead of their trip to the Halliwell Jones - he has a slight hamstring issue but Smith is confident that Vete will be fit for round 6. 

Rovers cdo welcome back Korbin Sims against Warrington - Sims missed their round 4 victory against the Rhinos last week due to concussion but has passed the relevant head tests ahead of Saturday's clash.

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

Hull Kingston Rovers: Adam Quinlan, Ben Crooks, Greg Minikin, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Jordan Abdull, Matt Parcell, Korbin Sims, 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.

Last 10 meetings: Warrington have won 8, Hull KR have won 1 and there has been 1 draw - Hull KR haven't won at the Halliwell Jones since April 2014. 

GI 💪 We don't need to introduce this legend 🔥@greg_inglis and @WarringtonRLFC kick off their 2021 season a week today against the Tigers live on Sky Sports #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/XeGo9VqBDB
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 21, 2021

Sunday 2 May

Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos (15:00) - Our League for season ticket holders

Ian Watson was missing three first choice centres during last weeks defeat against St Helens - Jake Wardle and Leroy Cudjoe were late withdrawals from the 17 and joined injured centre Ricky Leutele on the side lines.

Watson admitted last week that Cudjoe was close to match fitness, so could return against the Rhinos. Leutele is also edging closer to a return and could be intention for the Giants in round 5. 

There are fresh injury concerns for Richard Agar who will be without Alex Sutcliffe (knee) and Cameron Smith (hamstring) - both are set for spells on the side line following injuries in recent weeks. 

Richie Myler will also be absent from the Rhinos side on Sunday after he was handed a two-match suspension following their defeat to Hull KR last Friday. He joins prop Zane Tetevano who is also suspended. 

Huddersfield Giants: TBC 

Leeds Rhinos: TBC

Last 10 meetings: Huddersfield have won 3, Leeds have won 6 and there has been 1 draw - in 2020, the sides 2 meetings both ended with the Rhinos winning by 1 point.