Super League: Ashton Sims leads Wolves on the road to Hull FC
Last Updated: 13/02/15 10:09pm
Ashton Sims will get his first taste of Super League on the road when Warrington Wolves travel to Hull FC on Friday.
The Fijian prop was one of the league’s highest profile recruits when he joined Tony Smith’s side from North Queensland Cowboys in the summer but will experience his first away day in Yorkshire.
Sims excelled on his debut last week when Warrington defeated Salford Red Devils 22-8, but in the second round of his debut season on these shores he is likely to be met by a sterner test.
Hull FC began the 20th season of Super League in storming fashion by thrashing Huddersfield 19-0 last week and will undoubtedly see smothering Sims as the ideal way to record back-to-back victories.
Having lost eight games by seven points or less last campaign, Hull roared into the new start taking few chances against Huddersfield.
Team news
Lee Radford will stick with the same line-up that dealt that devastating blow to Huddersfield, although hooker James Cunningham comes into the squad in place of second-row Dean Hadley.
Hull’s ideal start means the Australian pair Jordan Rankin and Steve Michaels remain out of favour – the former is vowing to fight his way back into the team while the latter is awaiting his debut.
They will, however, be buoyed by the news of utility forward Jordan Thompson penning an extension to his time in Hull having featured heavily last season.
Gareth Ellis, Setaimata Sa, Liam Watts and Josh Bowden have all been named in the squad by Radford despite their injury concerns, although their fitness will be scrutinised before Friday.
Warrington are likely to travel down the M62 with the same side that got off to a winning start against Salford, meaning fit-again Matty Russell won’t make his return yet.
A World Club Series encounter against St George Illawarra awaits Warrington next week but first two perfect Super League starts collide on Friday night at the KC Stadium.
Hull FC: Bowden, Cunningham, Ellis, Green, Houghton, Lineham, Minichiello, Paea, Paleaaesina, Pryce, Sa, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Warrington: Asotasi, Atkins, Bridge, Clark, Currie, Evans, Evans, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Laithwaite, Monaghan, Myler, O’Brien, Penny, Ratchford, Sims, Westwood, Wheeler.