By Saturday evening we will know the outcome of round sixteen of Super League, and be half way through the Summer Bash festivities in Blackpool as the Championship has its two day jamboree at Bloomfield Road, the home of Blackpool football club.
All Championship One fixtures will be played out on Sunday, alongside the second day of the bash, so there is plenty to take in as the season takes shape and sides jostle for the all-important league places.
First up this weekend is the Thursday night encounter between Castleford Tigers and St Helens at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle as fifth plays first in front of the SKY TV cameras. Coach Powell has made two changes to the side which demolished the Rhinos in Newcastle as he brings in Ben Roberts and James Green to replace Joe Wardle and Jake Webster. The bookies have Saints as favourites as coach Holbrook makes just one change bringing Kyle Amor back into the side after he served a one match suspension in place of Matty Lees.
The TV game on Friday night is one of just four games being played, but the only 7:45 kick-off. Third and fourth play at the Halliwell-Jones as the Wolves take on Hull FC after the sides had a mixed weekend in Newcastle. The bookies have Warrington as strong favourites but coach Price makes three changes to his sidebringin in Luis Johnson, Pat Moran and Ben Pomeroy to replace the injured Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin and suspended Sitaleki Akauola. Hull FC added to their injury woes and will not be without Josh Griffin for at least three months and Scott Taylor is also absent for the Warrington trip. Jack Sanderson and Brad Fash are drafted in as cover.
The book makers believe that there can only be one winner as second placed Wigan Warriors travel to bottom side Hull KR. Wigan is still stunned by the announcement of the departure of coach Shaun Wane at the end of the season. Wane makes just one change from last week with Josh Ganson replacing the injured Thomas Leuluai. KR have Justin Carney back in the squad but will need to be at the absolute best and hoping that the Warriors have an off day.
Huddersfield Giants travel to the Salford Red Devils knowing that a win will lift them into the top eight for the first time this season as they continue to show a gradual improvement. The bookies are struggling to pick a favourite but slightly favour the home side. Salford are without Kris Welham, Lama Tasi and Jack Littlejohn as Ian Watson brings Ben Nakubuwai, Gavin Bennion and Ryan Lannon back into his nineteen man squad. The Giants will be delighted that skipper Leroy Cudjoe is back in contention for a place in the side and he’s joined by Daniel Smith as Sam Wood and Tyler Dickinson miss out. This is a crucial fixture for both sides.
The final Friday night game sees Widnes Vikings entertain Wakefield Trinity after both sides suffered defeat at the Magic Weekend. Wakefield’s slump down the table continues as they head for the middle eights whereas Widnes have been languishing in the bottom four all season and show little promise of escaping. Widnes welcome back Ed Chamberlain, Danny Craven, Owen Farnworth, Tom Gilmore, Owen Heremaia, but are without Jimmy Keinhorst, who has been recalled by the injury hit Rhinos, and Rhys Hanbury. Chris Chester has made just two changes to his side with Chris Annakin returning from injury alongside Matt Jowitt as the pair replace Liam Finn and Matty Ashurst. Wakefield are the favourites with the bookies.
The remaining Super League fixture takes place in the south of France as the Catalans Dragons host the Leeds Rhinos as they look for back-to-back wins. James Child will be in charge as a patched up Rhinos side fly into town without skipper Kallum Watkins who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and also without Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Nathaniel Peteru who are the latest casualties on an ever expanding casualty list. The Rhinos as still favourites for the win, but only just.
The Summer Bash is the Championships celebration weekend and it is the Saturday which throws up the mouth-watering contests. Barrow Raiders and Sheffield Eagles play in the 15:00 game which is followed at 17:15 by Halifax against Featherstone and at 19:30 by the tie of the day as top placed Toronto take on fifth placed Leigh. On Sunday the 13:00 kick off is between Toulouse and London while Rochdale and Swinton play at 15:15 before the final curtain is brought down by Batley and Dewsbury at 17:30.
All Championship One games are being played on Sunday as follows;
14:00 – Hemel Stags v. Bradford Bulls
14:30 – North Wales Crusaders v. Coventry Bears
15:00 – Hunslet v. West Wales Raiders
15:00 – Keighley Cougars v. London Skolars
15:00 - Whitehaven v. York City Knights
15:00 – Workington Town v. Newcastle Thunder
The game between Oldham and Doncaster which was scheduled for this weekend has been put back a week as the Vestacare Stadium is not available.
Wherever you watch your rugby this weekend, enjoy!
