Five things to look forward to: Westwood to make 500, Toronto could lift shield, Charnley returns to DW

Josh McAllister

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

Another weekend of rugby league action means another five things to look forward to…

Ben Westwood to make 500th appearance

Warrington Wolves veteran Ben Westwood is set to make his 500th game against Wigan Warriors during round 20 of the Super League.

The oldest player in the competition, Westwood has made 426 appearances for the Wire, starting his career at Wakefield Trinity.

It’s second against third at the DW Stadium, as the two sides continue to pile the pressure on table-toppers St Helens. Will there be a try to celebrate for Westwood tonight?

Toronto one win away from Championship Shield

Toronto Wolfpack are just one victory away from lifting the Championship League Leader’s Shield as they host Sheffield Eagles at Lamport Stadium.

The Canadian side have won 17 out of their 19 fixtures, losing to London Broncos earlier in the Betfred Championship season. Toronto are seven-points clear from second-place Toulouse.

Paul Rowley’s side could lift the League Leader’s Shield this weekend if they are to clam the two-points from the Eagles.

Josh Charnley to return to DW

Warrington Wolves winger Josh Charnley is set to return to the DW Stadium for the first time since leaving Wigan Warriors at the end of the 2016 season.

Charnley left Shaun Wane’s side and switched codes to join Sale Sharks, but returned to league with Warrington after 18-months.

Steve Price’s side find themselves just two-points behind second-place Wigan, with four wins in five, whilst Wigan have just two wins in five.

Charnley has already faced his former-club Wigan twice this season, beating them in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, finishing off a try in the corner.

Championship relegation zone battle 

Bottom-place Rochdale Hornets are set to face 11th-place Swinton Lions in the Betfred Championship this weekend as the battle to escape the relegation zone continues.

Stuart Littler’s Swinton Lions recently defeated Dewsbury Rams at Heywood Road, leaving them just one-point away from the tenth-placed side.

Rochdale recently suffered a heavy 80-4 defeat to Featherstone Rovers, but are just two-points behind Swinton.

The two sides meet this Sunday at the Spotland Stadium.

Top eight fight continues

Following Huddersfield’s 29-18 victory over Hull FC which saw them climb into the top eight, the battle for a Super 8 position has just become more intense.

Huddersfield’s victory saw Leeds Rhinos fall from the top eight with 15 points, who face 4th-place Castleford Tigers this weekend as they battle to re-claim their spot.

Wakefield Trinity host Steve McNamara’s Catalans Dragons at the Mobile Rocket Stadium, which could see the French side go joint-points with sixth-placed Wakefield if they claim the two-points.

Hull KR will host Salford Red Devils as both sides look to pile pressure on the top eight and avoid the Middle 8s, with just three-rounds left after this weekend before the split. Tim Sheens’ side sit 11th, whilst Salford are just one place above.

It’s second vs third as Wigan Warriors host Warrington Wolves at the DW Stadium, which could see the Wire go joint-points with Shaun Wane’s side as both teams look to continue to push St Helens, who face Widnes Vikings.

What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

Features Ben Westwood