IT is the Rivals Round this weekend in Super League.
That means that Wigan Warriors go up against St Helens, Hull FC against Hull KR, Castleford Tigers against Wakefield Trinity, Leeds Rhinos against Huddersfield Giants, Salford Red Devils against Leigh Leopards and Warrington Wolves against Catalans Dragons.
In the past, derby games have attracted some of the biggest and most ferocious crowds ever seen in the summer game.
Here are ten of the best derbies in British rugby league.
10. Workington Town vs Whitehaven
You can’t beat a Cumbrian derby for grit and pure passion – usually in a mud-filled bath – and Workington and Whitehaven certainly tick that box. The two teams enjoyed a recent revival of the clash following the former’s promotion from League One for the 2022 Championship season, however, Town were relegated after just one year. That being said, the traditional derby feel has never been lost.
8. Batley Bulldogs vs Dewsbury Rams
It’s a shame that the so-called ‘Heavy Woollen Derby’ – which originates from the towns’ importance in the wool trade in the 19th and 20th centuries – is not part of the Championship calendar in 2023. Dewsbury’s relegation from the Championship means that this season will miss one of the best and oldest rivalries in rugby league, though the Rams are currently unbeaten in league and cup so far.
9. Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards
It’s a derby that has yet to reach its potential in the Super League era given Leigh’s yoyoing between the Championship and the top flight. However, the first instalment between the two sides at the Leigh Sports Village last week was a sight to behold with the atmosphere a brilliant one.
7. Castleford Tigers vs Featherstone Rovers
You have to go back to before the summer game into creation in 1996 to witness a top-flight clash between Castleford and Featherstone. Despite that, the rivalry between the two clubs is as strong as ever with Rovers fans still motivated by the 2012 Challenge Cup shock against the Tigers. Some Featherstone fans also feel hard done by from the fact that Rovers were excluded from the first ever Super League whilst Castleford were included. However, Rovers look the favourites to earn promotion to the top flight which could see the two clash in Super League in 2024.
6. Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos
In recent seasons, the Castleford-Leeds derby has taken on a new dimension considering both teams are now actively vying for a play-off place. Under Daryl Powell, the Tigers managed to embellish a state of dominance over their big-city rivals with eight wins on the spin – until, of course, that 2017 Grand Final. Since Powell’s departure, Leeds have enjoyed a resurgence particularly under Rohan Smith, with the Tigers winning the last fixture between the two sides earlier in the season.
5. Warrington Wolves vs Widnes Vikings
The only Cheshire derby that has ever made it into Super League, Warrington and Widnes games were often full of expectation and brutality. With the Vikings relegated in 2018, however, this rivalry has seemingly gone quiet with the Wolves left without a noisy neighbour ever since. Under John Kear, who knows, Widnes could yet build for Super League once more.
4. Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity
It’s certainly been a game that gets highlighted between both sets of fans when the Super League fixtures are announced, but the Castleford-Wakefield derby took on a different dimension in 2023 as Trinity finally ended the Tigers’ incredible winning run against them. In fact, Wakefield beat their bitter rivals for the first time in 18 games with much anticipation already garnered for 2023. With relegation a stark possibility for either side, the derby will take on even more importance this season.
3. Leeds Rhinos vs Bradford Bulls
Always one of the most intense derby games in the early Super League days, the Leeds-Bradford rivalry is currently simmering away quite a way under the surface at present. With Bradford getting relegated from the top flight in the mid-2010s, the Rhinos have lost their biggest derby fixture, but the Bulls have been building nicely for 2023. Could this dream derby return in 2024?
2. Hull FC vs Hull KR
Of course, both sets of Hull fans will be crying out for the FC-KR derby to be number one. The acute hatred that can often split families is remarkable whilst full crowds are expected at both the MKM Stadium and Craven Park – over 20,000 are expected to flock to the former for the clash on Friday afternoon. The only reason why it is not rated at number one is the fact that the derbies don’t tend to take place in a trophy-winning atmosphere as the first-place derby on this list does.
1. St Helens vs Wigan Warriors
The original ‘Derby’ game as coined all those years ago, St Helens and Wigan clashes are breathtaking. Fighting in major finals, the fixtures between these two usually have that little bit of added tension and fuel to the fire, knowing that a trophy could well be at stake at the end of the 80 minutes. It’s no surprise also that Saints and Wigan games draw in some of the biggest attendances ever seen in the summer game, with the latest battle in the historic fight coming this Friday in front of what will be a packed DW Stadium.
