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Warrington Wolves v Catalans Dragons predicted line-ups as Sam Burgess eyes up Las Vegas

Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves host Catalans Dragons at the Luke Littler Stadium with both teams looking to improve on their Round One performances.

Wire managed to win in Round One but they put in a ‘rusty’ performance against Huddersfield Giants whereas Catalans lost 22-4 to Hull FC in the upset of the round, something that Steve McNamara and his team will be keen to set right.

The opportunity to set that record straight comes against Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, or as it will be known tonight the Luke Littler Stadium.

Warrington are celebrating their World Darts Championship winner with the teenager set to lead the teams out and parade his trophy around the ground.

We’ve looked at how each team could line up for the game given the squad changes and the fact that Warrington could have one eye on Las Vegas next weekend. Here are our predicted line-ups.

Warrington Wolves predicted team

Sam Burgess made just one change to his 21-man squad with unused centre Rodrick Tai dropping out for second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon.

Tai was essential to Warrington in 2024 so it was a surprise to see him left out of the matchday squad last Sunday and even more so now that he’s dropped out of the 21-man squad. His replacement, Fitzgibbon, was hampered with a shoulder injury late in 2024 so could be rested despite being named to the squad.

As such, it’s unlikely that there will be any change but Burgess did reveal that he agonised over the selection of Stefan Ratchford or Oli Leyland, ultimately opting for the experienced head and that is likely to be the case again.

Predicted Warrington Wolves team: Matt Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Arron Lindop, Toby King, Matty Ashton; Stefan Ratchford, George Williams; Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, Luke Yates; Dan Russell, Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie

Interchanges: Sam Powell, Joe Philbin, Zane Musgrove, James Harrison

Catalans Dragons predicted team

Steve McNamara will be looking for a big response from his side after the loss to Hull FC but there likely won’t be much change in personnel with the coach affirming mid-week that he has never believed in a Catalans team more than this one.

Injury issues still remain, notably Sam Tomkins and Theo Fages whilst Romain Navarette misses out after failing a HIA against Hull FC with the prop being the only man to drop out of the 21-man squad.

He is replaced by Matthieu Laguerre meaning that McNamara’s centre crisis is improving having had to previously play winger Nick Cotric there in the Challenge Cup.

Predicted Catalans Dragons team: Arthur Mourgue; Tommy Makinson, Matthieu Laguerre, Arthur Romano, Nick Cotric; Luke Keary, Cesar Rouge; Tevita Pangai Jr, Benjamin Garcia, Julian Bousquet; Tarig Sims, Elliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington

Interchanges: Alrix Da Costa, Bayley Sironen, Jordan Dezaria, Paul Seguier

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