Warrington Wolves vs St. Helens Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Super League | Regular Season
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Arguably the most anticipated fixture of the opening Super League round sees Warrington Wolves host St. Helens.
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+
Warrington Wolves team news: Five potential debutants
Warrington Wolves could have a number of players make their first Super League stars for the club after signing in the off-season, including Albert Hopoate, Liam Byrne and Toafofoa Sipley. However, James Bentley misses out after picking up a back injury against Sheffield last Friday.
Squad: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, George Williams, Marc Sneyd, Luke Yates, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Sam Stone, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Toafofoa Sipley, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther, Ewan Irwin, Luke Thomas, Joe Philbin, Josh Smith, Jake Thewlis, Kelepi Tanginoa
St. Helens team news: Captain ruled out
St. Helens will be forced to start the season without their skipper, with a knee injury sustained in the Challenge Cup sidelining Matty Lees and he is joined on the treatment table by Mark Percival and Curtis Sironen.
Squad: Jack Welsby, Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Deon Cross, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Shane Wright, David Klemmer, Jacob Host, George Delaney, Matt Whitley, George Whitby, Lewis Murphy, Joe Shorrocks, Jake Burns, Owen Dagnall, Nene Macdonald, Jake Davies, Jackson Hastings
Warrington Wolves vs St. Helens prediction
It’s a new head coach and a new start for St. Helens as Paul Rowley takes charge of a club looking replicate those glory years which saw them win three Grand Finals in a row at the start of the decade under Kristian Woolf. His initial replacement, Paul Wellens didn’t live up to expectations and Rowley now inherits a squad strengthened in the winter by the signing of former Super League Man of Steel Jackson Hastings and Papua New Guinea international centre Nene Macdonald.
Warrington Wolves let themselves down massively in 2025 and have replenished their squad in a bid to finally make 2026 their year. They’ve still got vastly experienced scrum-half Marc Sneyd and keeping him fit will be pivotal. But head coach Sam Burgess’ biggest signing may well be the additional of Steve McNamara as his assistant. He’s an outstanding coach, proven at this level of the game and should immediately make the Wire a better unit from the start.
This has all the makings of a classic Friday night Super League encounter. A big crowd will be on hand and expectations will be high for the Wolves when taking into account their excellent recent record against St. Helens. Warrington have beaten the Saints in each of their last five Super League fixtures, a run spanning two full seasons leading into this one. Expect McNamara’s impact to be instant, whilst the visitors may need to time to get fully to grips with the plans of Rowley. In what should be a great game, back the Wire to come out on top.
Warrington Wolves vs St. Helens tip: Warrington Wolves to win
