Warrington Wolves host St Helens on Friday night in what is the most intriguing encounter of Super League’s opening round of fixtures.
The Saints travel to the Halliwell Jones Stadium after making a number of big changes over the off-season with Paul Rowley coming in as head coach and several signings being made from down under. They’ve lost their last seven games against Warrington and they’d dearly love to get the 2026 season off to a winning start.
Warrington would too, though, as they bid to draw a line under last year’s difficulties and turn over a new leaf under the stewardship of Sam Burgess. In fact, a win for both sides would be an enormous statement of intent in round one and they’ll be going all out to get it.
Both sides will be missing key men, with Matty Ashton and James Bentley among those sidelined this week for Warrington Wolves, while the loss of Matty Lees was a big blow for St Helens, with the skipper being ruled out for several weeks due to the injury he picked up at Workington Town last week.
So, how will both sides line up? We take a look.
Cai Taylor-Wray will get the nod at full-back with Burgess putting his faith in the youngster for the 2026 season and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the back line remain unchanged from the one that beat Sheffield Eagles last week.
That means Josh Thewlis gets the nod on the right, while Albert Hopoate and Josh Smith could make Super League debuts.
Marc Sneyd and George Williams are the established half-back pairing for now. Luke Yates could come straight into the starting line up after missing last week with a head knock and he looks set to play alongside Danny Walker and Liam Byrne while Kelepi Tanginoa is set to replace Bentley in the line up.
James Harrison is fit enough to be named in the squad and he could be on the bench, alongside Toafofoa Sipley and Joe Philbin.
Rowley’s back line picks itself for the most part, with the only real choice coming on the left edge with Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy and Owen Dagnall gunning for that wing spot. Deon Cross is perhaps the most likely option at this stage, particularly as Murphy returns to full fitness.
However, Alex Walmsley will likely be the man to start alongside David Klemmer in the front-row, with Jacob Host potentially set for a Super League debut from the start alongside Shane Wright.
With Lees injured, the bench does look a little light but George Delaney, Matt Whitley and Jake Davies provide pack options, while Jonny Lomax might just be able to play that 14 role.
Predicted Warrington Wolves v St Helens teams
Warrington Wolves: Cai Taylor-Wray; Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith; George Williams, Marc Sneyd; Luke Yates, Danny Walker, Liam Byrne; Sam Stone, Kelepi Tanginoa; Ben Currie
Bench: James Harrison, Sam Powell, Toafofoa Sipley, Joe Philbin.
St Helens: Jack Welsby; Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Nene Macdonald, Deon Cross; Tristan Sailor, Jackson Hastings; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, David Klemmer; Shane Wright, Jacob Host; Joe Shorrocks.
Bench: George Delaney, Matt Whitley, Jonny Lomax, Jake Davies.
