Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Super League | Semi-Final
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Leeds Rhinos, second-place finishers in the regular season faces Warrington Wolves for a place at Old Trafford.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports & BBC / USA – Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & BBC platforms & Super League+ / USA – Fox Sports platforms & Super League+
Leeds Rhinos team news: Captain won’t make it
Leeds Rhinos have been dealt a massive blow leading up to this semi-final with the news that captain Ash Handley, along with Jack Bird are unavailable due to injury with Danny Levi and Lachie Miller already confirmed to miss out.
Squad: Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Ned McCormack, George Brown, Fergie McCormack, Zak Lloyd, Matt Lodge
Warrington Wolves team news: No changes to Wire squad
Warrington Wolves will run out the same 21-man squad that got the better of Hull KR last time out. Cai Taylor-Wray did not feature in that game and may not be 100% but he remains in the squad either way.
Squad: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Luke Yates, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Sam Stone, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes, James Bentley, Joe Philbin, Arron Lindop, Max Wood, Josh Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa
Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves prediction
Matty Ashton was the hero for Warrington Wolves against Hull KR, scoring a hat-trick of tries as Sam Burgess’ side knocked out the reigning Super League champions, winning 35-12 at the Halliwell Jones. Now they must head out on the road to Headingley where they meet a Leeds Rhinos side who were outstanding across the regular season, but may be showing vulnerability heading into the semi-final.
The Rhinos were pipped to the League Leaders Shield by Wigan Warriors after losing 8-40 to Matt Peet’s men in the penultimate game of the regular season. They then ended the campaign with a second consecutive home loss, going down 12-18 to Hull FC and will be without their skipper for this, their biggest match of the year.
One wonders whether the Rhinos have potentially run out of gas, with their much-revered offence having gone to sleep recently. That won’t cut it against a red-hot Wire, who’ve won eight of their last nine games. Although Leeds got the better of them twice earlier in the year, the unavailability of Handley and a number of others cannot be ignored and may just tip the scales in Warrington’s favour.
Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves tip: Warrington Wolves to win
