Two of Super League’s biggest teams butt heads in the first round of Super League XXVII with designs on returning to Old Trafford. For Leeds 2022 may represent their best opportunity to return to the Grand Final for five years after making four superb signings. However, their first fixture sees them take on another side with hopes of Super league glory. Warrington’s biggest change comes in the shape of former Leeds coach Daryl Powell taking the reins as a new dawn potentially heralds a serious title challenge.
But how will the teams line up as they go in search of an opening round win? Of course the biggest question for Leeds will be who lines up alongside Aidan Sezer now that his former Canberra teammate Blake Austin is suspended. It could be skipper Kruise Leeming, fullback Richie Myler or centre Liam Sutcliffe. There’s also a worrying doubt over Harry Newman after a hamstring strain against Hull FC. If he’s fit, I fancy Liam Sutcliffe to figure at six, if not Sutcliffe will be named at centre along with Tom Briscoe. There’s also a question over who will be named at second-row with Leeds having four fantastic back-rowers to choose from. Based on the game against Hull, 18-year-old Morgan Gannon and new signing James Bentley will start with Rhyse Martin on the bench. The other new signing David Fusitu’a will start on the wing.
Turning to Warrington, with Toby King unavailable Daryl Powell has a dilemma to solve at centre. The obvious solution would be young centre Connor Wrench. Jack Hughes is another notable absentee but one easily solved by either Jason Clarke or Matty Davis starting at 13 in his absence. New signings Peter Mata’utia and Oliver Holmes will start at centre and second-row respectively. Matty Ashton’s switch to the wing spot will also be consolidated with the new Warrington number five set to start on the left.
Leeds
16 Richie Myler
2 David Fusitu’a
3 Harry Newman
20 Tom Briscoe
5 Ash Handley
4 Liam Sutcliffe
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
9 Kruise Leeming
10 Matt Prior
21 Morgan Gannon
11 James Bentley
13 Zane Tetevano
Substitutes
12 Rhyse Martin
14 Brad Dwyer
17 Cameron Smith
19 Bodene Thompson
Warrington
1 Stefan Ratchford
2 Josh Charnley
3 Peter Mata’utia
23 Connor Wrench
5 Matty Ashton
6 Gareth Widdop
7 George Williams
8 Joe Philbin
9 Daryl Clarke
10 Mike Cooper
11 Ben Currie
12 Oliver Holmes
14 Jason Clarke
Substitutes
15 Joe Bullock
16 Danny Walker
17 Matt Davis
19 Rob Mulhern
