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Rivals Round Preview
17 Apr 2025
- Are you ready for Rivals Round?
Nothing Hits Harder Than Rivals Round.
Rivals Round has arrived - where the games mean more, hit harder and have the ability to divide towns and families. And with Betfred Super League already hotting up, we can certainly it to get even hotter this Easter weekend.
The most intense and historic rivalries will go head-to-head with huge crowds anticipated, emotions running high and everyone expected to bring their A game.
As always, fans can watch ALL six games LIVE - you won't want to miss this epic round of Super League action!
Rivals Round is HERE! ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 15, 2025
Which game are you most excited to watch? ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/kAsv8veSCH
Thursday 17 April
Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers (20.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+
Wakefield Trinity will kick off the Easter Weekend this Thursday when head coach Daryl Powell faces his former club, Castleford Tigers.
The DIY Kitchens Stadium is on course for another sell out, as the West Yorkshire neighbours renew their fierce rivalry for the first time since 2023.
There will certainly be no love lost where these two are concerned, and although Trinity may have got off to a flying start in their return to the top flight, the Tigers have bolstered their team in recent weeks and will be fighting to turn their season around.
Castleford will also be keen to continue their impressive winning streak against Trinity – one the hosts have certainly come to rue in recent times.
Astonishingly, Trinity's last home victory against the Tigers was 36-32 in September 2013, meaning that Castleford have won their last nine visits to Belle Vue.
Wakefield’s only wins during this time period have come in 2015 and 2022 at the Jungle.
Ironically, it’s a winning streak Powell once helped the Tigers to build – but now he will be hoping to finally end the curse with his rejuvenated Wakefield side.
Trin’s Main man Max Jowitt is set to make his return from injury and it’s just in time for Rivals Round! In Jowitt’s eleven years as a Trinity player, he has never personally beaten his local rivals.
Powell will also welcome back Josh Griffin, who grabbed two tries for Wakefield in the last Super League game between the two sides in 2023, after the back rower recovered from a hamstring tweak.
Jayden Myers drops out of the squad to make way for the veteran.
Cas’ new loan signings Hugo Salabio and Jordan Dezaria are to set to make their respective debuts for the club.
Will Trinity finally sample some long-awaited Derby Day delight? Or will their nearest and dearest continue to claim the spoils?
?? IT'S RIVALS ROUND!!!
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) April 17, 2025
? Castleford Tigers
?? DIY Kitchens Stadium
? Kick Off 8pm
? Gates Open 6pm
?? Tickets still available ?? https://t.co/hdJjJpbNDU#UpTheTrin pic.twitter.com/voj4ninyIO
Friday 18 April
Hull FC v Hull KR – (12.30) – live on Sky Sports
The Hull Derby is also enroute to attracting a capacity crowd, with 20,000+ tickets sold for Good Friday.
It’s gearing up to be another cracker at the MKM Stadium, with Hull FC seeking redemption after their inner-city rivals knocked them straight out of the Betfred Challenge Cup only a fortnight ago.
It might be their second meeting in a matter of weeks, but the feeling of a Derby Day never gets old for the people of Hull.
The city is divided once more and we should certainly expect fireworks, with both sides set to raise the bar even higher.
The Black & Whites haven’t won at home to the Robins since 2022, which is something they’ll be determined to change once and for all this weekend.
Both teams are in flying form and confidence – Robins six win from seven and Hull also unbeaten in their last six Super League matches (five wins, one draw).
And as well as bragging rights, there’s the desirable top spot of the Betfred Super League table at stake, as both Hull teams enter this Rivals Round fixture leading the way and currently occupy 1st and 2nd in the league table.
Who’d have thought it?
This makes it one of the most hotly anticipated derbies in the last two decades as the Good Friday tradition just got bigger and better than ever!
Who will leave West Hull with the keys to the city this Easter?
John Cartwright has made just one change to the Hull squad that was named in advance of last Saturday’s victory against Warrington Wolves on the road – Denive Balmforth returns to first-team action having featured for the Reserves last weekend on his return from injury.
Balmforth replaces Hugo Salabio, who has joined Castleford Tigers on loan for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Willie Peters has named his 21-man Hull KR ahead of this Friday's Hull Derby clash.
Noah Booth and Eribe Doro drop out of the squad alongside Michael McIlorum. The hooker joins the club's injured list after sustaining a ruptured bicep during the loss to Wigan.
2024 Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis returns to the 21 while Harvey Horne and Leon Ruan are also rewarded with call-ups to the squad.
With over 20,000 tickets now sold for the unmissable Good Friday Hull Derby, less than 1,000 West Stand Upper Tier tickets now remain available ?
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) April 16, 2025
?? Ticket Update ? https://t.co/Xw6CVy2pxc
? Secure Your Seat ? https://t.co/KGpiotEnJe
???? #COYH | @ecostrad pic.twitter.com/aDOgTRaCUd
Wigan Warriors v St Helens (15.00) – live on Sky Sports
We’re in for a huge treat as Wigan host arch nemesis’ St Helens at a sold-out Brick Community Stadium in their annual Good Friday fixture.
This Easter tradition is everything for these two heavyweights and tells a historic and storied rivalry, whilst creating some of the most memorable moments in the Super League era.
This year, it’s Saints who will make the short trip over Billinge Hill to face the Warriors, and Paul Wellens’ men are seeking back-to-back Good Friday triumphs having won 12-4 last Easter.
These rivals are sitting 3rd and 4th in the table, joint on league points, where Saints could leapfrog Wigan or the Warriors could go two points clear of their opponents.
With both of these dominant forces aiming for a season of silverware and success, we should have a true classic on our hands!
It’s going to get heated!
? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ???
— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 7, 2025
Home and away tickets for the biggest game in rugby league at The Brick Community Stadium this month, have now fully sold out. ?#WWRL #SLWIGSTH pic.twitter.com/25hYnW1VpU
Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants (17.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+
Good Friday concludes with a West Yorkshire Derby as Leeds Rhinos host Huddersfield Giants for the first time in 2025.
The Rhinos enter this derby match on the back of a strong win over Salford in Round 7 and are sitting in sixth spot.
On the contrary, a winless Huddersfield’s injury woes continue with nearly a dozen first teamers sat on the sidelines. Luke Robinson's men aren't low on confidence, however, and you'll find that form often goes out of the window in Rivals Round.
A brutal is battle expected, with Jake Connor coming up against his former club for the first time. Ironically, he helped mastermind Huddersfield’s most previous win at Headingley - in Round 8 of 2024.
Will the Giants be able to raise to the occasion? They’ve kept their spirits up and there would certainly be no better way than to get that first win against their local rivals...
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has made one change to his 21 man squad for Good Friday.
New signing Kallum Watkins will make his second debut for the club where he came through the academy. In an incredible twist of fate, Watkins will return on the same date as he made his first debut for the club back on 18th April 2008, 17 years to the day later.
Mikolaj Oledzki will miss the game as he completes his one game suspension.
Head Coach Luke Robinson has also named his 21-man squad as Oliver Wilson returning to the fold after his suspension - a timely boost for the team.
Saturday 19 April
Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves (13.30) – live on BBC Two, Sky Sports and SuperLeague+
Rivals Round continues with 'The Greatest Show' on Easter Saturday as Leigh Leopards welcome Warrington Wolves to the Leigh Sports Village.
Are you ready for a fiesty affair?
The Leopards’ most recent home victory against the Wolves only came by a margin of four points (16-12 in August 2024), which means we could be in for another pulsating contest...
Josh Charnley is back in the Leigh side and the former Wire man loves a try against his former club. He's also just two tries away from taking his tally to 250!
Meanwhile, the Wolves are dealt with a devastating blow this week as skipper George Williams is ruled out for 8-10 weeks with an ankle injury.
What will action will unfold?
?? "??'?? ?? ? ??????? ????? ?? ????"
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) April 15, 2025
Adrian is expecting a very intense match against Saturday's visitors Warrington.
See his match preview here ?? https://t.co/JcGgKuiqgh pic.twitter.com/pq6beGDzTs
Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils (18.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+
Finally, 2025 Rivals Round concludes with a game in the south of France. Stade Gilbert Brutus is ready to rock as Catalans Dragons take on Salford Red Devils – just two weeks after facing them in the Challenge Cup quarter finals.
This meeting saw a gritty encounter unfolded, with the Dragons that little bit more clincal than a spirited Salford to claim a 20-12 win.
It's an important two points at stake for the Dragons who are pushing for a place in the top six. Meanwhile, the Red Devils have an opportunity to distance themselves from Huddersfield at the bottom of the table.
?? ?????? ?? ????????? !
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) April 14, 2025
Les Dragons retrouvent le stade Gilbert Brutus samedi soir pour affronter Salford ?
? https://t.co/CilUW9fEm2 pic.twitter.com/Gug5qQsgZm
Rivals Round (Round 8) returns on Thursday 17 April - with all six games broadcasted LIVE this Easter Weekend!
Fans can find all the relevant information and kick-off times for the Rivals Round fixtures here.
For information on SuperLeague+ and how to purchase your passes, click here.
Read more on Rivals Round with:
Top Six Essentials: Danny Walker
Watch more on Rivals Round with:
Are you ready for Rivals Round?
Who can remember the first ever Super League Hull derby?
2003 Good Friday Classic | FULL GAME | Warriors v Saints
Trinity v Tigers | 2000 Extended Highlights
Last time out at AMT Headingley | Rhinos v Giants
