Super League Team News: Leeds Rhinos flyer returns and Leigh Leopards boosted

Super League was put on hold for the Challenge Cup Final but it’s back and teams will officially move into the second half of the season upon completion of Round 14, but plenty of sides will be without some star players.

Despite an 11-day turnaround for all teams bar Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, there wasn’t a Thursday night Super League game meaning that there are instead three tonight on Friday.

Both Challenge Cup Final sides are in action with Wigan travelling to face Castleford Tigers and Wire looking to bounce back against Salford Red Devils. Hull KR host Huddersfield Giants in the third and final game.

Saturday sees Leeds Rhinos travel to the MKM Stadium to face Hull FC in what is sure to be an emotional game given that it is the first that the club have played since the passing of Rob Burrow. Meanwhile, Leigh are taking a record 1,500 fans to Perpignan to face Catalans in the later kick-off.

London Broncos return to the stoop and will host St Helens on Sunday with the Red Vee hoping to mark the halfway point of the campaign atop the table, something they will be guaranteed to do with a win.

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Super League Team News: Challenge Cup hangovers and returning stars

The team news for Friday’s three Super League games was reported previously, with the headline news being that Jai Field will be out after pulling his hamstring in the Challenge Cup Final. He’s replaced by Jack Farrimond, whilst Castleford have far bigger issues.

Paul McShane and Joe Westerman both miss out with McShane potentially set for a lengthy spell out, however, new loanee Matty English could be straight into the mix.

Hull KR remained mainly unchanged meaning that Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess remain out but it’s the news that Jake Connor won’t play despite being named in the 21-man squad.

Salford remains without Ryan Brierley but could debut new signing Loghan Lewis, whereas Warrington will miss forward Jordy Crowther and Lachlan Fitzgibbon with ankle and back injuries respectively.

Onto Saturday’s games and the hosts see former captain Carlos Tuimavave return but it’s Leeds who are boosted massively with winger David Fusitu’a and prop Tom Holroyd returning. Andy Ackers remains out though as he is afforded extra time to recover from a concussion.

Catalans Dragons see plenty of welcome returns including Alrix Da Costa, Arthur Romano, Micky McIlorum and Paul Seguier whilst Leigh are boosted by Gareth O’Brien returning.

Matty Davis also links up with the squad whilst Adrian Lam had also provided an update that stars Robbie Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell and John Asiata aren’t too far away.

Onto Sunday’s game between London and St Helens and the hosts are boosted in the forward pack with Emmanuel Waine and Ethan Natoli both returning. As for Saints and they make just one change with young Harry Robertson named in place of Leon Cowen.