The Background
Two of the early season favourites go head-to-head in the opening Super League game of the season. Leeds, treble winners in 2015, begin their defence of the League Leaders’ Shield against a new-look Warrington Wolves team that will be keen to impress at the start of the season. Danny McGuire and Chris Hill will begin their reigns as captain for their respective clubs.
The Team News
New Rhinos signing Beau Falloon will be given as long as possible to recover from a broken toe picked up last week while Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Stevie Ward (both knee) are long-term absentees. Keith Galloway and Brett Ferres are expected to make their debuts.
Warrington have a number of players unavailable including Mitchell Dodds (wrist), Stefan Ratchford (knee) and Ryan Atkins (elbow). Ben Harrison and Ryan Bailey also miss out.
Predicted Line-Ups
Leeds: Hardaker; Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall; McGuire, Sutcliffe; Galloway, Burrow, Singleton, Ferres, Ablett, Cuthbertson. Subs: Garbutt, Delaney, Lilley, Walters
Warrington: Russell, Lineham, Evans, Wheeler, Penny; Gidley, Sandow, Hill, Clark, Sims, Currie, Hughes, Westerman. Subs: King, Westwood, Cox, Philbin
Last 5 meetings:
Leeds 49, Warrington 10 (SLS8R1, 7/8/15)
Leeds 10, Warrington 29 (SLR12, 24/4/15)
Warrington 18, Leeds 6 (SLR5, 13/3/15)
Leeds 24, Warrington 16 (CCSF, 9/8/14) (at Langtree Park, St Helens)
Warrington 24, Leeds 6 (SLR15, 30/5/14)
Super League Record
Leeds won 31 (includes win in 2012 Grand Final & 2011 play-offs)
Warrington won 17 (includes wins in 2006 and 2013 play-offs)
1 draw
Leeds highest score: 54-16 (H, 2006) (Widest margin: 52-10, A, 2007)
Warrington highest score: 44-10 (H, 2000); 44-16 (H, 2006) (Widest margin: 42-6, A, 2011)
