SL Preview: Huddersfield v Warrington (Thurs)

Two teams who lost on opening weekend will be looking to get their seasons up and running when Huddersfield host Warrington on Thursday night.

A promising first half at Hull for the Giants turned in to a disappointing loss, while the Wolves went down at home to champions Leeds.

Huddersfield have been dealt a further blow with the news that stand-in skipper Michael Lawrence is out for at least a couple of weeks, with new signing Colton Roche drafted in to the 19-man squad alongside Tyler Dickinson.

Warrington are unchanged and looking to end a run of four successive defeats on the road at Huddersfield, including last season’s 44-4 thumping at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Wolves coach Steve Price told the club’s official website: “I’ve watched their friendlies and the Hull FC game back and the scoreline didn’t reflect the true value of how good they were in that game.

“They’re a well-coached team with an outstanding kicker in Danny Brough so we need to be on top of our game; with players like Jermaine McGillvary and Jake Mamo. We need to make sure we nullify their strengths and execute our game plan.”

Huddersfield will enjoy a weekend off after this one, during which they’ll hope the likes of Lawrence and captain Leroy Cudjoe will be able to get closer to full fitness.

Huddersfield 19-man squad: Brough, Clough, Dickinson, Ferguson, Gaskell, Hinchcliffe, Ikahihifo, Leeming, Mamo, McGillvary, McIntosh, Murphy, O’Brien, Rankin, Roberts, Roche, Smith, Ta’ai, Turner.

Warrington 19-man squad: Atkins, K. Brown, M. Brown, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, King, Lineham, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Ratchford, Roberts, Russell, Smith, Westwood.

Stats

Huddersfield have won their last four home meetings with Warrington. The Wolves’ last win at the John Smith’s Stadium was 33-14 on 30 March, 2014.

Huddersfield’s Danny Brough has scored points in his last thirteen games against Warrington. His scoring streak began with a penalty goal in the Giants’ 28-2 away defeat on 22 March, 2013.

Super League summary

Huddersfield won 17 (includes win in 2010 play-offs)
Warrington won 30 (includes wins in 2011 and 2013 play-offs)
1 draw
Huddersfield highest score: 52-10 (H, 2001) (also widest margin)
Warrington highest score: 54-6 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)