Four months after being brought to an abrupt halt, Super League returns this weekend! And it’s safe to say plenty has happened between the final whistle at Castleford on the 15th March and now. Toronto Wolfpack have withdrawn, with their record expunged. It’s been decided that no promotion or relegation will take place, and clubs and players have been in talks over pay cuts.
But now we can focus once again on the action, as Rugby League’s top tier resumes with a tasty double header at Headingley. Matchday FM’s Chris Stott, Kieran Makin, Rob Lee and Chris Coughlin give their thoughts and predictions on this weekend’s two highly anticipated matches.
ST HELENS VS CATALANS DRAGONS
Sunday 2nd August 4:15 Kick Off
Saints were involved in the last game before lockdown, losing 28-14 at Castleford.
The reigning Champions didn’t fully click into gear during the first 5 games of the season. With just 2 wins from 5 games, Kristian Woolfs men lie 8th.
Catalan were one of the form team’s pre-lockdown, with 3 wins from 4. Sam Tomkins was in fine fettle too, looking much more like his old self. The Dragons go into the restart just 2 points off the top.
Chris Stott
Saints may well have benefited from a little more time to work Woolf’s new ideas. The return of James Graham too is a huge boost, but it does come after the departure of Luke Thompson who was without doubt the best prop in the competition. With Catalans, it’s all about whether their pre-lockdown form can continue into the restart. On paper they have a team well capable of pushing for major honours. This could go either way, but I think Catalan sneak it.
Kieran Makin
Before the lockdown, champions St Helens had started the 2020 Super League season slowly, including being nilled for the first time since August 2016 away at Warrington. However, with it being in the UK rather than in the South of France, I fancy them to turn over Catalans.
Rob Lee
St Helens were champions last year and you have to favour them if I’m honest. Poor start to 2020 and lockdown is probably what they’ve needed to let bodies recover. Plus they have fan favourite James Graham back it’s hard to look past them.
Chris Coughlin
Saints have to hit the ground running on Sunday. Three defeats from five games, when you take away the expunged Toronto result, isn’t good enough for this team. Catalan have started better with three wins from their opening four games but, even though it’s at a neutral venue, their away record speaks volumes - seven defeats from their last nine. I expect Saints to get their season back on track.
Saints usually have the edge of Catalans, but in 2012 the Dragons produced one of the great comebacks!
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS VS LEEDS RHINOS
Sunday 2nd August 6:30 Kick Off
After surviving by the skin of their teeth last year, Huddersfield are certainly much better in 2020! The likes of Aiden Sezer have played a vital role in helping them kick off with 4 wins from 5 games. They don’t score masses of points but their defence has been on point most of the time. The only blip coming in their only league defeat, which was a 42-10 loss to Wigan.
Leeds will at least have home comforts on their side for this one, despite being in the away dressing rooms. Like Huddersfield they started well, with 3 wins from 4. Luke Gale looks at home at half back, while many of their young guns continue to impress. In a battle between 3rd and 4th, it could be a case of who comes out of lockdown the fittest that decides this one.
Chris Stott
I was hugely impressed by Huddersfield at the start of the season. Their recruitment in the off season has turned them from relation candidates into play-off challengers. If their defence continues to be strong, they will be tough to beat in this one. I didn’t quite know what to expect from Leeds this year, but that thumping win over Warrington showed they have the capabilities to challenge. Again, it looks a real good match up, but I think Leeds just have the edge.
Kieran Makin
Huddersfield are third in the table and Leeds are fourth, with the Giants sitting two points ahead of the Rhinos having played one game more; so this one's neck and neck. I think Leeds will miss the crowd making Headingley noisy, so I fancy a tight Huddersfield victory in this one.
Rob Lee
It’s hard to split the two if I’m honest I would say Leeds at Headingley is a banker but Huddersfield were playing some good rugby before lockdown. I’m going to say it - it’s going to be a draw and then it’s anybody’s game in golden point!
Chris Coughlin
This is a meeting of two teams for whom the pause couldn’t have come at a worse time. Huddersfield were flying high in third and had just won 12-10 at champions Saints, whilst Leeds had won four in a row, three excluding their demolition of Toronto, after an opening day loss against Hull FC. Leeds have the “home” advantage so this could be a real indicator of how much the lack of a crowd will affect games this season. The Rhinos had their scoring boots on after Day 1 so I’ll go for Richard Agar’s side to edge this one.
Will this meeting between the Giants and the Rhinos be as dramatic as this one?
Both games are rearranged fixtures postponed for reasons other than Covid - with a full round set to be played next weekend, as the journey to Old Trafford takes centre stage once again.
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