It’s the second round of fixtures in both Super League and the Championship, and there are plenty of players with both points to prove and something to show fans in this weekend’s fixtures.
The action begins on Thursday when Salford take on St Helens – but beyond that, here’s five players we think could be worth keeping an eye on for their respective sides over the coming days.
Jamie Foster (Huddersfield)
The former St Helens and Bradford winger is back in Super League – and expect him to line up on the wing for Huddersfield on Friday night, after Paul Anderson confirmed he’d play against Wigan this weekend. Foster has had over a year out of the sport professionally – so can he mark his return to Super League with a strong showing against last year’s Grand Final runners-up?
Leon Pryce (Hull FC)
Pryce enjoyed a fine start to 2016, playing a key role as the Black and Whites started their campaign with a bang in 2016, thrashing Salford to go to the top of Super League. He was impressive against the Red Devils, and this weekend he and Hull return to his former side Catalans. Can Lee Radford’s men snap their poor form in Perpignan? If they do, Pryce will have played a big role.
Jordan Cox (Warrington)
Few eyebrows were raised when Warrington snapped up Jordan Cox from Hull KR late into the off-season – but he showed up well for the Wolves during last week’s win against Super League champions Leeds Rhinos. This week he makes his home debut for the club, ironically against his former employers, as they look to make it two from two at the expense of the Robins. Will the towering Cox show KR what they’ve missed out on by letting him go?
Liam Finn (Wakefield)
Another player returning to his former club this weekend is Wakefield half-back Liam Finn. The experienced scrum-half will head back to Castleford with the Wildcats, aiming to strike up a derby victory for Brian Smith’s men and get them up and running in 2016 – will he be another to show his former employers what a mistake they’ve made in letting him go?
Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos)
In and amongst all the mayhem of Warrington’s dramatic win against Leeds last week, Brett Ferres’ performance went under the radar somewhat. He put in a real shift on his competitive debut for the Rhinos, and already looks an astute signing for Brian McDermott’s side. His seniority and experience will be crucial for Leeds throughout 2016 – and with a World Club Challenge on the horizon, expect him to have a big performance against Widnes this weekend.
