Warrington Wolves moved to the top of Super League as they beat Leigh Leopards in dominant fashion, scoring seven tries to win 42-6.
Wire scored inside two minutes and that set the tone for what would be a very long day for the Leopards who themselves slumped to the foot of the table with Huddersfield winning elsewhere.
Josh Smith carried on his try-scoring antics of last week by crossing over early on before wing partner Matty Ashton scored the first of his two tries from an intercept. James Bentley scored on his Super League debut for Wire with Joe Philbin also crossing over before the half.
Captain George Williams and Sam Powell both scored in the second half either side of Matty Ashton’s second and Adam Cook’s consolation score.
We’ve picked out the key talking points from Wire’s 42-6 win over the Leopards.
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Warrington Wolves v Leigh Leopards talking points
Wire go top of Super League
After Wigan’s dramatic defeat yesterday, Leeds Rhinos moved top of Super League but they weren’t there for long as Warrington’s dominant win today has seen them move top on points difference.
What makes that more remarkable is the fact that they’ve played a game less than all of their rivals at the top, having missed a game in round two when Hull KR contested the World Club Challenge.
They’ve also managed to score the most points in Super League despite playing a game less with Wire thriving in 2026.
Leigh go bottom
Not only did today’s result ensure that Warrington Wolves go top of Super League, it also saw Leigh drop to the foot of the table as the other 3:00 pm kick-off saw Huddersfield Giants pick up their second consecutive win.
The Giants’ win over York sees them join the group of teams on four points, with Leigh boasting the worst points difference of them all. Injuries have of course played their role, as has a tough start to the season in respect to scheduling but it’s still a shock.
Plenty had Leigh touted for silverware this year after their third-place finish in 2025 but their heavy losses today and at the hands of Wigan mean they sit at the foot of the table.
Sneyd versus Irwin
The major decision made by Sam Burgess leading into the game was Marc Sneyd or Ewan Irwin and he backed the veteran half, a decision that paid off massively given how dominant Sneyd was.
That’s not to say that Ewan Irwin wouldn’t have had similar success but after a difficult day in the wind at Headingley, it was maybe wise to rest the young talent who is undoubtedly the future of Warrington.
Healthy competition for the spot alongside George Williams will remain for the rest of the season and is sure to be a burning question most weeks, in a positive headache for Sam Burgess.
Repeat or revenge?
Leigh won’t have to wait long to try and get one back over Warrington as they actually face them next week in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals with the game set to be played at the same venue.
There will have to be some drastic improvements as well as a steep drop-off from Wire for this result to be overturned but with a number of players nearing return and the possibility remaining of an over-confident Warrington, then maybe Leigh fans will hold out some hope.
Selection headache incoming for Burgess
Warrington’s set of backs have been absolutely electric all season long, no matter who has played. Matty Ashton has now racked up five tries at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in just two games whilst overseas signing Josh Smith added another to his tally today following a brace last week.
Josh Thewlis has been the man to play full-back in recent weeks since the injury to Cai Taylor-Wray but with the full-back nearing a return, Sam Burgess will have a very difficult call as to who he drops.
It’s almost certain that Matty Ashton will not make way whilst Josh Thewlis will likely return to his wing, meaning one of Toby King, Josh Smith or Albert Hopoate may have to drop out. It’s a welcome headache to have but a headache nonetheless.
Heading to the top of the #SuperLeague table 🐺 pic.twitter.com/bZ9nAAdQLC
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 4, 2026
