Sam Burgess and Paul Rowley have named their respective Warrington Wolves and St Helens squads for Friday night’s round one clash.
The two clubs go head to head at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and it’s fair to say that both need the round one win to get themselves moving in the right direction early in 2026. St Helens frustrated for large spells last year and while they did reach the play-off semi-finals, they felt a change of head coach was needed, with Paul Rowley replacing Paul Wellens at the helm.
The Saints haven’t beaten Warrington since 2023, losing their last seven meetings, and that means a win in Cheshire would go a long way towards making an immediate impression for Rowley.
Warrington underwhelmed last season and Burgess came under a considerable amount of criticism as his side finished the campaign some way behind the play-off pace. The head coach will desperate to get 2026 underway on a positive note then by picking up two valuable points.
Here’s a look at the two sides’ squads heading into the contest.
Warrington Wolves v St Helens team news
The big news from a St Helens perspective is that Matty Lees will not be involved for the Saints. The skipper looks set to miss the next seven weeks of action at least and will likely be watching from the stands this week.
There’s no Mark Percival, as expected, while Curtis Sironen, Jake Wingfield and Agnatius Paasi are among those left on the sidelines, too.
Lewis Murphy is involved, though. The winger’s first season in Merseyside did not go to plan due to a series of injuries, but he’s fit enough to be named in the squad and he’ll be pushing for a starting spot, too.
David Klemmer, Jacob Host, Joe Shorrocks, Nene Macdonald and Jackson Hastings are in line to make their first appearances in Super League for the club.
Warrington boss Burgess has named six new signings in his squad, including Sam Stone who spent a period of last season on loan with the Wolves. However, there’s no Matty Ashton who is still trying to return to full fitness after injuring his ACL last season.
James Harrison and Luke Yates are fit enough to be included but there’s no James Bentley, with the back-rower picking up a back issue last week in the win over Sheffield Eagles.
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21-man squads
Warrington Wolves: 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: 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.
