Monday 23 May 2016 08:20, UK
Wakefield and Catalans kick off day two of the 10th Magic Weekend before Huddersfield take on St Helens. The final action at St James' Park will see Hull FC and Hull KR dual for the city’s bragging rights.
Wakefield v Catalan Dragons
Wakefield are fresh off the back of toppling league leaders Warrington and will be boosted by the news that skipper Danny Kirmond has signed a new two-year contract with the club.
Chris Chester makes just one change to the side that ran out in Round 14 as Stuart Howarth returns to the squad after his time out injured and Anthony England drops out due to suspension.
Max Jowitt knows the scale of the challenge that's ahead of his side but is confident they're ready after a productive training week.
"They're really strong through the middle and to be fair they've got a lot of strike around the edges as well. But, it's nothing that we can't handle," Jowitt said.
"So we're going to come out and put in a good performance for our fans and especially for ourselves."
Catalans Dragons' head coach Lauren Frayssinous is still having to contend with numerous injuries and the news this week that Richie Myler will be out for six weeks wasn't ideal. But, with nine wins in their last 10 matches they're battling on well.
Frayssinous welcomes back Dave Taylor and Jason Baitieri from suspension and young U19 hooker Alrix Da Costa is also set to make his return.
Looking ahead to the game Morgan Escare is aware of how confident Wakefield will be and knows home country advantage will be their opponents'.
"Wakefield are a good team; they've won quite a lot of matches. I think that Sunday is going to be a difficult game," said Escare. "There are going to be a lot of Wakefield supporters and maybe only a few for Catalans' but I hope that we are going to win and it's going to be a good game."
Both sides have lost just one of their last six First Utility Super League matches and head into the 2016 Magic Weekend on form.
Wakefield: Scott Anderson, Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Joe Arundel, Matty Ashurst, Jordan Crowther, Liam Finn, Craig Hall, Stuart Howarth, Tom Johnstone, Ben Jones-Bishop, Max Jowitt, Danny Kirmond, Jacob Miller, Nick Scruton, Mickael Simon, Mikey Sio, Anthony Tupou, Bill Tupou
Catalans: Lucas Albert, Louis Anderson, Jason Baitieri, Thomas Bosc, Julian Bousquet, Jodie Broughton, Todd Carney, Rémi Casty, Alrix Da Costa, Vincent Duport, Tony Gigot, Justin Horo, Antoni Maria, Willie Mason, Greg Mounis, Eloi Pelissier, Pat Richards, Glenn Stewart, Dave Taylor
St Helens v Huddersfield
Giants coach Paul Anderson has made two changes to the squad that lost to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan last week, with Scott Grix making his return to the side and new signing Sebastine Ikahihifo also coming into the fold. Tyler Dickinson and Sam Wood miss out.
Saints have named a strong side with Jordan Turner, Shannon McDonnell and Calvin Wellington all called up. Dom Peyroux and Mark Percival miss out with knocks suffered in the win over Salford.
Lama Tasi believes his side are in with a chance to push on for the League Leaders Shield, and is looking forward to taking the field on Sunday.
"The league is tight," said Tasi. "We could be sat top in the next month or so and that is our aim. We have to concentrate, do what is best and play our footy. There aren't any easy games.
"Sunday should be a good game. Most of the Giants' players are back on deck and they play some good footy. They should have beaten Catalan probably too.
"I'm looking forward to playing in that stadium an atmosphere."
The Saints man is happy with his own form but insists his focus remains on the team and the direction set out by coach Keiron Cunningham.
"I am still learning heaps and want to keep it up. I prefer to start matches but whatever KC thinks is best for the team I will do. I just want to contribute what I can to the team.
"The fans are fanatical here and ruthless in a way too! Without them the game wouldn't be what it is."
St Helens: Kyle Amor, Jack Ashworth, Matty Dawson, Theo Fages, Morgan Knowles, Jonny Lomax, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Shannon McDonnell, Jack Owens, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Adam Swift, Lama Tasi, Jordan Turner, Atelea Vea, Alex Walmsley, Luke Walsh, Calvin Wellington, Jon Wilkin.
Huddersfield Giants: Ryan Brierley, Danny Brough, Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Jamie Ellis, Scott Grix, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Josh Johnson, Michael Lawrence, Nathan Mason, Jermaine McGillvary, Aaron Murphy, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joe Wardle, Kyle Wood.
Hull FC v Hull KR
Hull KR head coach James Webster has named captain Terry Campese in his 19-man squad for Sunday's derby against Hull FC.
The skipper has been out of action with a hamstring injury since his side's victory over Leeds Rhinos at the beginning of April, but is in contention to face the Black and Whites in Newcastle this weekend.
Webster has made two other changes to his squad for Sunday, with the experienced Chris Clarkson and Iain Thornley also returning to the side, while John Boudebza, Robbie Mulhern and Kieran Moran make way to accommodate the trio.
Meanwhile Frank Pritchard returns to the Hull FC squad for the encounter after serving his one-match suspension for a high tackle in his side's match against the Dragons earlier in the month.
The Black and Whites also welcome back Carlos Tuimavave, who had previously been sidelined for six weeks with a groin injury.
Curtis Naughton comes back into the side after missing last week's win against Wigan Warriors, with Steve Michaels dropping out of proceedings.
Danny Houghton will make his 250th appearance for Hull FC when he takes the field.
"I'm really honoured to be making my 250th appearance for the club," Houghton said.
"I didn't realise I had played so many games up until a few weeks ago. For it to fall on the Magic Weekend makes it extra special. Magic Weekend Derbies are massive games for me regardless.
"To play 250 times for a club I grew up watching and supporting is special. I never thought I'd achieve something like that. It's a great milestone for myself and a bit of a shock that I've played so many times.Hopefully we can get a special win to match."
Hull FC: Josh Bowden, Gareth Ellis, Mahe Fonua, Chris Green, Danny Houghton, Sika Manu, Mark Minichiello, Curtis Naughton, Frank Pritchard, Leon Pryce, Jamie Shaul, Marc Sneyd, Fetuli Talanoa, Scott Taylor, Jordan Thompson, Carlos Tuimavave, Danny Washbrook, Liam Watts, Kirk Yeaman.
Hull KR: Mitch Allgood, Maurice Blair, Terry Campese, Chris Clarkson, Ben Cockayne, James Donaldson, James Green, James Greenwood, Graeme Horne, Albert Kelly, George Lawler, Shaun Lunt, Matty Marsh, Thomas Minns, Ken Sio, Iain Thornley, Dane Tilse, Adam Walker, Joe Wardill.
Watch the Magic Weekend live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Saturday and Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday. Or watch the game without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.
