The team news for Saturday’s Super League games has been confirmed, with clubs including Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants revealing their 21-man squads.
Leigh take on Warrington Wolves in arguably the game of the afternoon, whilst York Knights travel to Huddersfield and Super League’s two French sides – Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique – go head-to-head.
The Leopards revealed mixed injury news this week, with boss Adrian Lam saying that two players would be out through injury and two could potentially be in line for return, however those two doubts have been named in the 21.
Warrington also had an injury concern following their defeat to Leeds Rhinos, whilst York Knights boss Mark Applegarth confirmed star full-back Toa Mata’afa would be out for around a month through a shoulder injury.
With those headlines in mind, and a number of others across the six teams, the 21-man squads are in and there has been a wave of changes throughout.
Super League Easter Saturday Team News
Warrington Wolves v Leigh Leopards:Â
Warrington are without Kelepi Tanginoa, after the back-rower picked up an injury in the Leeds tie. Max Wood has been sent on loan to Oldham, and those two have been replaced by Ewan Smith and James Bentley.
Tesi Niu, Keanan Brand and Jack Hughes are included in the initial side, however Lam was doubtful that any of those players would feature this week due to injury.
Joe Ofahengaue and Owen Trout were named in the 21 last week but didn’t feature, however they are more likely to return on Saturday after another week of recovery.
Will Brough, son of Huddersfield Giants legend Danny, is expected to make his Super League debut, with the boss revealing he is the “next man up” in terms of centre selections.
Warrington Wolves 21-man squad: Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Marc Sneyd, Luke Yates, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Sam Stone, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther Ewan Irwin, James Bentley, Luke Thomas, Joe Philbin, Josh Smith, Ewan Smith, Lachlan Webster
Leigh Leopards 21-man squad: Keanan Brand, Tesi Niu, Josh Charnley, Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam, Joe Ofahengaue, Robbie Mulhern, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Isaac Liu, Aaron Pene, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Matt Davis, Liam Horne, Innes Senior, Gareth O’Brien, Jack Hughes, Ben McNamara, Louis Brogan, Ryan Brown, Will Brough
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights:
After their heroic victory over Wigan last time out, Huddersfield and interim boss Liam Finn will head into this game full of confidence. More importantly though, he heads into the game with the same 17 available to him, something Luke Robinson could say happened very rarely to him.
In what is even better news, Adam Swift returns after being missing since the start of the season through injury.
York have been hit with a number of injuries over the past fortnight, including the aforementioned Mata’afa. Potentially joining him on the sidelines are Ben Jones-Bishop and Danny Richardson, who have been named but are both “touch and go” according to boss Mark Applegarth.
Sam Wood is out with a hand injury, but Will Roberts has been named. If selected, the half-back would be making his York and Super League debut after featuring for Newcastle Thunder at the beginning of this season.
Huddersfield Giants 21-man squad:Â Niall Evalds, Adam Swift, Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Tristan Powell, Zac Woolford, Tom Burgess, Asher O’Donnell, Fenton Rogers, George King, Kieran Rush, Mathieu Cozza, Jack Billington, Chris Patolo, Jacob Algar, Tanguy Zenon, Oliver Russell, Connor Wrench, Jacob Douglas
York Knights 19-man squad: Ben Jones-Bishop, Scott Galeano, Ata Hingano, Jack Martin, Paul McShane, Paul Vaughan, Josh Griffin, Jesse Dee, Denive Balmforth, Xavier Va’a, Justin Sangare, Danny Richardson, Oli Field, Kieran Buchanan, Will Dagger, Nikau Williams, Sam Cook, Will Roberts, David Nofoaluma
Catalans Dragons v Toulouse Olympique:
Lewis Dodd is named again, despite missing last week’s game. Tommy Makinson returned to the 21 against FC, but didn’t feature.
The Dragons welcome back Josh Allen and Julien Bousquet after their respective HIAs, but lose both Alrix Da Costa and Ben Garcia who left the field in the first half of the defeat to Hull FC.
Toulouse have made one change, with Tiaki Chan coming in following his loan move from Wigan Warriors. Baptiste Rodriguez drops out.
Catalans Dragons 21-man squad:Â Charlie Staines, Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Solomona Faataape, Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd, Chris Satae, Julian Bousquet, Ben Condon, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Allen, Romain Navarette, Harvey Wilson, Kruise Leeming, Zac Lipowicz, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lenny Marc, Ugo Tison, Leo Darrelatour, Alexis Lis
Toulouse Olympique 21-man squad:Â Olly Ashall-Bott, Reubenn Rennie, Benjamin Laguerre, Thomas Lacans, Jake Shorrocks, Lambert Belmas, Brendan Hands, James Roumanos, Maxime Stefani, Mathieu Jussaume, Anthony Marion, Joe Cator, Rob Butler, Romeo Tropis, AJ Wallace, Ellis Gillam, Tyler Dupree, Luke Polselli, Hugo Garrigues, Cesar Rouge, Tiaki Chan
