Super League preview: Leeds Rhinos host Warrington Wolves at Headingley
Warrington Wolves aim to bounce back from opening day defeat when they take on Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Friday.
Last Updated: 22/02/14 5:36pm
Rhinos got their 2014 campaign off to a triumphant start with a 34-6 victory over Hull KR, with new signing Tom Briscoe stealing the headlines with a spell-binding 14-minute hat-trick.
There were contrasting fortunes for Tony Smith's Wolves however, as St Helens put a dampener on their 10th anniversary at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, beating their derby rivals 38-8.
As well as having free-scoring winger Briscoe at his disposal, Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott also welcomes Stevie Ward and Ben Jones-Bishop, who both missed out on selection at the KC Lightstream Stadium, back into the squad.
Forward Mitch Achurch has been drafted into the 19-man squad at the expense of youngster Liam Sutcliffe.
Kallum Watkins will make his 100th appearance for the club, having debuted in April 2008, while Kylie Leulaui will become the club's fifth longest serving overseas play with a 216th cap, should he make the cut.
Meanwhile, Warrington are set to hand Super League debuts to winger Gene Ormsby and prop Anthony England in Friday's trip to West Yorkshire.
Exceptional
The 21-year-old Ormsby has got the nod over the axed Chris Riley while England, 27, signed in the close season from Featherstone, takes over from back-rower Glenn Riley, who damaged knee ligaments in the home defeat to St Helens.
Ormsby started the 2014 season playing on a dual-registration for Swinton and got the nod ahead of wing rival Kevin Penny as Warrington look to bounce back from their heaviest home defeat for seven years.
"Gene has been in our junior set-up for the last two or three years and has worked his way into our full-time squad," said coach Smith.
"Chris is no scapegoat for our performance as a team but there are a couple of things he has to go away and work on. He's bitterly disappointed but he's handled it exceptionally well and he will bounce back at some stage."
Warrington will still be without full-back Matthew Russell, their close-season signing from Gold Coast Titans who has yet to recover from an ankle injury, but have utility player Simon Grix back from shoulder surgery.
Stefan Ratchford continues at full-back in Russell's absence while Gareth O'Brien, who has spent loan time at St Helens, Widnes and Castleford over the last two years, gets the chance to start at stand-off in partnership with Richie Myler.
The Rhinos have lost their last two games against Warrington but since the arrival of former coach Tony Smith at the Wolves in 2009, they have just edged the head to head meetings with eight wins in the 15 encounters.
Leeds: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Clarkson, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton.
Warrington: Asotasi, Atkins, Bridge, Currie, Dwyer, England, B. Evans, Grix, Higham, Hill, Laithwaite, M. Monaghan, J. Monaghan, Myler, O'Brien, Ormsby, Ratchford, Waterhouse, Westwood.
You can see all the action from Headingley as Leeds Rhinos host Warrington Wolves live on Sky Sports 1HD from 7:30pm on Friday and you can also follow our interactive blog online.
