Two teams who met in the play-offs last season meet for the first time in 2022 wanting a win to kickstart their season.
Yes Hull KR won last week to progress to the next round of the Challenge Cup but with just two wins in the league so far this season, Tony Smith will know his side are capable of better.
As for Warrington, the Wolves have lost four in a row including two to Wakefield with Trinity knocking the Wolves out of the cup last week. Like Smith, Daryl Powell will want more from his side.
Team News:
Lachlan Coote is back for Hull KR in what is a major boost for Tony Smith and his side. He replaces Will Dagger in the 21-man squad. Ryan Hall is set to play after being given a well deserved rest for the cup win against Leigh last week.
Warrington are boosted by the early return of Joe Bullock as well Matty Ashton after a calf problem saw him miss the cup game against Wakefield. Jack Hughes is in the mix as Ellis Robson drops out of the squad all together after starting against Trinity.
Match Preview – Key Battles:
Shaun Kenny-Dowall vs Peter Mata’utia: Two superb centres capable of conjuring up the big moments, both SKD and Mata’utia have the tools to win the game with a single play so it may become about which centre can contain their opponent in defence when deciding this battle.
Jordan Abdull vs George Williams: Two number sevens hoping to play for England in the World Cup at the end of the year, some criticism has been thrown the way of George Williams with him and Gareth Widdop failing to guide the Wolves to success so far this season. Perhaps a little harsh, two men don’t make a team and Williams is more than capable of turning it on at any point and could very well guide the Wolves to a win here but equally Jordan Abdull can inspire his Hull KR side to the two points as well.
Daryl Clarke and Danny Walker vs Matt Parcell and Jez Litten: Both Warrington and Hull KR have two superb nines capable of managing games but also turning them with a moment of magic. This therefore will be an intriguing battle as the starting nines look to get control of the middle third whilst their understudies will be looking to change things when they come on.
Where the game will be won and lost:
The Warrington attack hasn’t fulfilled it’s potential in 2022 whilst Hull KR have shown glimpses of the exciting offence which fired them all the way to the semi-finals last season at Warrington’s expense. This may be where the game is won and lost, with ball in hand in key areas. If Warrington can click in attack, there’s no reason they can’t get back on track.
Score Prediction: Hull KR 20-28 Warrington Wolves