Russell targets Warrington winning roll

Warrington winger Matt Russell is hoping that the Wolves can put down a marker in their clash against Leeds on Friday night.

The Rhinos make the trans-Pennine trip having turned in an impressive display at Hull FC last week.

Despite a 12-0 half-time deficit against the Black and Whites, Leeds dominated the second half, winning 43-12 in the end.

“This type of team, your Leeds, St Helens, Wigan, they’re the games you want to be winning,” said Russell.

“It sets the standard really. We’ve got Leeds this week, then St Helens and Wigan a few weeks after.

“If we start well against Leeds and hopefully win, then that’s going to be a confidence boost which can maybe get us on that role we were on last year, where we went through quite a lot of games unbeaten.

“This is obviously our biggest test. Catalans was a big test for us, but, to be honest, Leeds are the top side so far in Super League.

“So it’d be good to get the win against them, but it’s going to be a tough ask.”

Russell, who has played most of his rugby at full-back, has turned out at winger in his last couple of games for the Wolves.

On Friday evening, he will be against two of Super League‘s top wingers, in Ryan Hall and Tom Briscoe.

“They’re both international players, who’ve got a lot about them,” he said.

“It’ll be a real test for me to come up against them. It’ll be interesting this weekend to see how everyone goes.”

Despite that impressive second-half display at Hull, Russell still believes that there are weaknesses which the Wolves can exploit.

“Even when 12-0 down, they’ve got that spirit to come back and win the game,” he added.

“But, on the flipside, they were 12-0 down and they’ve leaked tries in.

“So there’s no reason why we can’t put points on the board, and then hopefully defend a bit better than we have done in the last few weeks.”