Warrington Wolves have named an experienced side to face Leigh Leopards on Friday night, in what is their final pre-season game.
Only the first 13 have been named, though the players selected is near to full-strength, as Sam Burgess looks to get the best preparation ahead of the season opener in two weeks time.
Cai Taylor-Wray is named at full-back, and after the exit of Matt Dufty, he will be the starting number one for Wire across the season.
The brotherly pair of Josh and Jake Thewlis will start on the wings, whist Jake in the side over Matty Ashton, who continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered last season.
New recruit Josh Smith pairs with Toby King in the centres. Albert Hopoate is another man the club brought in this off-season, but like Ashton he is also recovering from an ACL injury, and is in the latter stages of his recovery.
In the halves, George Williams will partner Marc Sneyd, and that is the partnership that the Wolves are expected to utilise through the year, though youngsters Ewan Irwin and Leon Hayes will both be staking their claim for first-team rugby this year.
Liam Byrne, who joined from Wigan this winter, and Luke Yates will make up the front row, whilst Danny Walker will start at nine in favour of Sam Powell.
Toafofa Sipley will sit out as he serves the second of his two-match suspension that he copped whilst at Manly Sea Eagles last year. He will be free to play in the Wolves’ Challenge Cup game against Sheffield Eagles next weekend.
Sam Stone, who made his loan move from Salford Red Devils a permanent one, joins Kelepi Tanginoa in the back row, whilst Ben Currie rounds out the team at loose forward.
Burgess and Warrington need a much-improved 2026 season, and with no Las Vegas trip this season to distract their preparations, a strong start is much-needed.
The competition at the top is tight, and whilst the play-offs won’t be decided in the first-half of the campaign, picking up results early doors could stand them in good stead for a return to finals rugby.
Warrington Wolves XIII to face Leigh Leopards: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Josh Smith, Jake Thewlis, George Williams, Marc Sneyd, Liam Byrne, Danny Walker, Luke Yates, Sam Stone, Kelepi Tanginoa, Ben Currie.
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