Three of the biggest derby matches in Super League will take place on Good Friday, as Hull FC travel to Hull KR, Wigan Warriors take on St Helens and Bradford Bulls host Leeds Rhinos.
Arguments can be made that any of those ties sit top for best rivalry, but regardless of which game is better, Super League fans will be treated to all three games on the same day.
To build up the anticipation even further, the initial 21-man squads have been announced, as Wigan Warriors and Hull FC welcome back a star men from injury.
Elsewhere, St Helens’ new loan signings are included whilst Bradford Bulls have made a call on Eribe Doro and his fitness after an ankle injury.
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Super League Good Friday Team News
Hull KR v Hull FC:
Starting with the game that kicks off the action, KR have made two changes to their 21 after the short-term exits of Jordan Dezaria and Bill Leyland.
The pair have joined St Helens ahead of their clash with Wigan, and in their place come Karl Lawton, who returns from suspension and youngster Harvey Horne.
FC have a number of returnees, including Aidan Sezer, who has missed the last two. Joe Batchelor is also included and could face brother James in the derby, whilst Cade Cust returns from suspension.
Hull KR 21-man squad: Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Tom Amone, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Jack Broadbent, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Brown, Karl Lawton Noah Booth, Jack Charles, Harvey Horne, Tom Whitehead
Hull FC 21-man squad: Davy Litten, Zak Hardaker, Lewis Martin, Jake Arthur, Aidan Sezer, Amir Bourouh, Harvie Hill, Joe Batchelor, John Asiata, Cade Cust, James Bell, Sam Lisone, Ligi Sao, Tom Briscoe, Arthur Romano, Connor Bailey, Logan Moy, Matty Laidlaw, Callum Kemp, Will Hutchinson, Ryan Westerman
St Helens v Wigan Warriors:
As mentioned, Dezaria and Leyland go straight into Paul Rowley’s 21 and are expected to line-up against the Warriors on Friday afternoon.
Mark Percival and George Delaney drop out in their place after the pair picked up injuries in last week’s defeat to Hull KR. The pair are still been assessed and there is no update or time frame for return just yet.
In what is a huge boost for Wigan, Jai Field is back in the side after missing the last month due to appendicitis. Field’s absence, alongside Bevan French, has seen the side take a dip in form, but the full-back has returned at the perfect time, and could feature in Friday’s derby clash.
Jonny Vaughan drops out and Wigan remain unchanged barring that, with Lukas Mason and Kian McDermott hoping to make their debuts this week.
St Helens 21-man squad: Harry Robertson, Deon Cross, Tristan Sailor, Daryl Clark, Shane Wright, David Klemmer, Matt Whitley, Jake Wingfield, Agnatius Paasi, Lewis Murphy, Noah Stephens, Joe Shorrocks, Owen Dagnall, Jake Davies, Alfie Sinclair, Jackson Hastings, Bill Leyland, Jordan Dezaria, Billy Keeley, Tom Humphreys, Chris Matagi
Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Marshall, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Dayon Sambou
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos:
Kurt Haggerty has opted to not risk Eribe Doro this week. The forward suffered an ankle injury in the Challenge Cup and has been out since, however the Good Friday game comes too early for a potential return. Ebon Scurr was another who had a “50/50” chance of making the side, but he also won’t feature.
Eliot Peposhi is back in contention after serving his three-match ban. Phoenix Steinwede will be hoping for his first start after making his debut from the bench last weekend.
Leeds have named Harry Newman after the centre missed out last week due to a few little niggles. Jack Bird did more than enough to keep his spot against Warrington, however the former NRL man could feature in the centres.
Maika Sivo has scored 14 tries in six Rhinos matches so far. He will be looking to increase that tally on Friday however the narrowness of the Odsal pitch could limit his chances of getting over the whitewash.
Bradford Bulls 21-man squad: Andy Ackers, Caleb Aekins, Chris Atkin, Waqa Blake, Ed Chamberlain, Zac Fulton, Sam Hallas, Joe Keyes, Loghan Lewis, Esan Marsters, Joe Mellor, Rowan Milnes, Jayden Nikorima, Jack Ormonroyd, Eliot Peposhi, Leon Ruan, Ethan Ryan, Mitch Souter, Phoenix Steinwede, Ryan Sutton, Connor Wynne
Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Ethan O’Neill, Jeremiah Matautia, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Danny Levi, Jack Bird
