We’ve reached round two of Super League and six teams will be in action this evening as the competition gathers pace.
Leeds Rhinos will have high hopes of picking up their first points of the season as they take on York Knights at Headingley, but the Rhinos will be wary of the Knights’ threat after seeing the newly promoted side beat champions Hull KR in round one last week.
St Helens will be eyeing their first points of the campaign, too, as they host Adrian Lam’s Leigh Leopards at the Brewdog Stadium.
And, Bradford Bulls welcome Super League back to Odsal for the first time since 2014 this evening as they take on Catalans Dragons in front of what is sure to be a big crowd.
Here’s the team news for all three games.
Leeds Rhinos v York Knights
Maika Sivo and Jeremiah Mata’utia will make their competitive debuts for the Rhinos this evening with the winger starting against the Knights more than a year after initially joining the club. Mata’utia will come off the bench for the Rhinos and he’ll be more than keen to catch the eye.
Jake Connor is fit enough to be involved after picking up a minor knock, while Cameron Smith gets the nod at loose-forward, with Kallum Watkins moving to second row and Ethan O’Neill dropping to the bench. Keenan Palasia comes into the fold this week too.
Mark Applegarth has made a number of changes to his side, with Ata Hingano dropping out of the fold. Nikau Williams takes on the six spot this week then and that opens the door for Kieran Buchanan to start at centre for the Knights.
There’s no Jesse Dee, so Josh Griffin starts in the back-row, while King Vuniyayawa, on loan from Newcastle Thunder, comes onto the bench.
Leeds Rhinos: Lachie Miller; Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Chris Hankinson, Ryan Hall; Brodie Croft, Jake Connor; Cooper Jenkins, Danny Levi, Tom Holroyd; Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell; Cameron Smith.
Bench: Jeremiah Mata’utia, Jarrod O’Connor, Keenan Palasia, Ethan O’Neill.
York Knights: Toa Mata’afa; Ben Jones-Bishop, Kieran Buchanan, Sam Wood, Scott Galeano; Nikau Williams, Liam Harris; Xavier Va’a, Paul McShane, Paul Vaughan; Josh Griffin, Oli Field, Jordan Thompson.
Bench: Denive Balmforth, Jack Martin, Justin Sangare, King Vuniyayawa.
St Helens v Leigh Leopards
Saints boss Paul Rowley has chosen Tristan Sailor to play at full-back this week in place of the injured Jack Welsby and given the Australian’s ability in the role, that doesn’t come as a surprise.
Jonny Lomax is the man chosen to play in the halves alongside Jackson Hastings, while a change in the back line sees Harry Robertson drop to the bench, Deon Cross move to centre and Lewis Murphy start on the wing.
Curtis Sironen comes straight into the side to start in the back-row, with Matt Whitley names on the bench.
Leigh continue to be without Umyla Hanley, who picked up an injury in pre-season and hasn’t been seen just yet. That means the back line remains unchanged with Keanan Brand playing inside at centre and Innes Senior getting the nod for the second consecutive week on the flank.
Frankie Halton misses out through injury, but Isaac Liu is fit enough to be named on the bench, while Andrew Badrock gets the start in the back-row. Aaron Pene isn’t fit enough to be involved.
St Helens: Tristan Sailor; Kyle Feldt, Nene Macdonald, Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy; Jonny Lomax, Jackson Hastings; David Klemmer, Daryl Clark, Alex Walmsley; Shane Wright, Curtis Sironen, Joe Shorrocks
Bench: Jacob Host, George Delaney, Harry Robertson, Matt Whitley.
Leigh Leopards: Bailey Hodgson; Josh Charnely, Keanan Brand, Tesi Niu, Innes Senior; Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam; Robbie Mulhern, Edwin Ipape, Owen Trout; Andrew Badrock, Jacob Alick-Wiencke; Joe Ofahengaue.
Bench: Liam Horne, Jack Hughes, Isaac Liu, Matt Davis.
Bradford Bulls v Catalans Dragons
Kurt Haggerty has been forced into making a number of changes this week, with Dan Russell and Jayden Okunbor picking up knee issues at Hull FC. Ethan Ryan comes into the side on the wing, while Hull loanee Ed Chamberlain starts in the back-row.
The only other Bradford change comes at stand-off with Luke Hooley replacing Joe Keyes.
Catalans are without Ben Garcia through suspension, of course, and that opens the door for Kruise Leeming to start at loose-forward in what is an intriguing selection call. Chris Satae and Josh Allen swap roles, with Allen dropping to the bench and Satae starting, while Julian Bousquet falls out of the squad.
Tiaki Chan, who joined from Wigan Warriors earlier this week is named on the bench alongside Alexis Lis.
Bradford Bulls: Caleb Aekins; Connor Wynne, Esan Marsters, Waqa Blake, Ethan Ryan; Luke Hooley, Rowan Milnes; Ryan Sutton, Andy Ackers, Loghan Lewis; Ed Chamberlain, Zac Fulton; Joe Mellor.
Bench: Mitch Souter, Ebon Scurr, Eribe Doro, Elliot Peposhi.
Catalans Dragons: Charlie Staines; Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Solomona Faataape, Josh Simm; Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd; Chris Satae, Alrix Da Costa, Romain Navarrete; Zac Lipowicz, Ben Condon, Kruise Leeming.
Bench: Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Allen, Alexis Lis, Tiaki Chan.
