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Round 1 Preview

13 Feb 2025

  • The Betfred Super League is back for 2025!
  • Are you ready for Round 1?
  • We have six spectacles coming your way...
  • Games to be shown LIVE on Sky Sports, SuperLeague+ and the BBC!
Round 1 Preview

The Betfred Super League is back for Round 1 – and the season is set for a spectacular start!

It's been over four months since Wigan Warriors were crowned champions under the lights at Old Trafford, and now 12 teams, including Wakefield Trinity who return to the elite, will kick-off their 2025 campaigns in style this upcoming weekend.

Super League will have its most streamlined fixture list for the competition’s 30th season in 2025, with more Thursday, Saturday and Sunday fixtures - and once again, fans can watch EVERY game LIVE on Sky Sports with four LIVE games on SuperLeague+, as well as a selection on the BBC throughout the year.

With the eagerly anticipated season finally upon us, here's the first preview of what you can expect from an action-packed Round 1...

Thursday 13 February

Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards (20.00) – live on Sky Sports

The new Super League season will kick off in emphatic fashion with a highly anticipated Battle of the Borough at The Brick Community Stadium, live exclusively on Sky Sports.

Champions Wigan Warriors will launch their bid for a third consecutive title at home to local rivals Leigh Leopards, where a bumper crowd of 20,000+ is expected - which could make it biggest ever opening-night fixture Super League has ever seen.

The Warriors have won their last ten meetings with the Leopards as they look like force to be reckoned with once again in 2025.

Leigh should not be taken lightly, however, as they will be out for revenge following their 38-0 semi-final defeat back in October.

Expect fireworks as both sides have named their strongest squads available for this Round 1 clash, with plenty of players in from the Warriors' Grand Final winning squad selected. It is also head coach Matt Peet's 100th game in charge.

Five of Leigh’s newest signings; David Armstrong, Ethan O'Neill, Tesi Niu, Issac Liu and Alec Tuitavake could also feature for the first time in Super League.

Can anyone stop the Warriors from winning it all again?

Friday 14 February

Hull KR v Castleford Tigers (20.00) – live on Sky Sports

It’s a sell out at Sewell Group Craven Park on Valentine’s Day as Hull KR welcome Castleford Tigers. The Robins will attempt to go one better than last year’s Grand Final defeat and will be aiming to get off to a flying start what is set to be an electric Red & White fortress.

The Robins are overwhelming favourites, having beaten the Tigers 36-6 last time out and having only suffered two defeats on their home patch last year.

Cas did push Hull KR all the way in the reverse fixture, however, only just losing out 12-13, and as we have seen previously…anything can happen on game day!

And this time, the Tigers will be guided by head coach Danny McGuire, who will be desperately hoping they can build on last year.

The question is, can Willie Peters’ men finally win silverware this season?

Hull KR have named an unchanged squad that travelled to York Knights in their Betfred Challenge Cup tie - in hope that the consistency sees the Robins over the line against Castleford.

Who's especially excited to see Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in action?

Catalans Dragons v Hull FC (20.00) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

Catalans Dragons have the joy of a home fixture in Round 1 as Hull FC become the first team to make the trip to Perpignan in 2025.

Expectations will be sky-high after both sides’ huge off-season recruitment drives.

The Dragons squad is truly star-studded, while Hull FC have added a wealth of experience to their side and are freshly looking for the upcoming campaign.

The Black & Whites will be aiming to kick off their new era with a victory, with Cartwright’s side close to full strength.

Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, Aidan Sezer and Amir Bourouh are all named and set to make their competitive debuts for the club. Ed Chamberlain, Oliver Holmes, Davy Litten, Jack Charles and Matty Laidlaw are all unavailable through injury.

Meanwhile, fans could see a number of Catalans' major acquisitions take to the field, such as Nick Cotric, Luke Keary and Tevita Pangai. They are unfortunately without Sam Tomkins and Theo Fages due to injury, however.

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Saturday 15 February

Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity (15.00) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

A local rivalry will be renewed on Saturday as Leeds Rhinos will start their season against Wakefield Trinity, who we welcome back after a one-year absence.

The sides last met on Boxing Day where the Rhinos pipped an 18-16 victory. Leeds have won their last three Headingley meetings with Wakefield, although their most recent Super League encounter saw Trinity take a 24-12 win at Belle Vue in 2023.

It’s going to be Brad Arthur’s first full season in charge, while Daryl Powell is back coaching in top flight with the Betfred Championship champions.

There will certainly be no love lost as these two fiercely lock horns in front of a huge crowd at AMT Headingley Stadium, including an impressive away following from the Wakefield Faithful.

Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins will both make their Super League debuts for the Rhinos, whilst a host of Trinity's new signings could feature - with a number of their players making the step up to Super League for the first time.

St Helens v Salford Red Devils (17.30) – live on BBC, Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

Super League Saturday continues with at tasty tie between St Helens v Salford Red Devils at The Totally Wicked Stadium, with Super League returning to the BBC screens for 2025.

This vows to be a scintillating encounter as the ties delivered all the drama last year, with the Red Devils ending their 44-year winless run away at Saints in Round 4 before some golden point drama in Round 21, so buckle your seatbelts as it’s bound to have some drama!

New Saint Kyle Feldt could make his official club debut on Saturday evening. Whilst fellow recruits Tristan Sailor and Lewis Murphy, both of whom scored in the Challenge Cup last Saturday on their Saints debuts, could make their first competitive appearances at home in the Red V.

Young guns Noah Stephens and Harry Robertson could also feature.

Sunday 16 February

Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves (15.00) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

Finally, there’s a ‘Battle of the Burgess’ which will bring Round 1 to its conclusion when Huddersfield Giants clash with Warrington Wolves on Sunday – as former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Tom Burgess is set to make his Super League debut for the Giants against a team coached by his elder brother Sam.

The Wolves ran riot at the John Smith's Stadium back in 2024, but a blockbuster contest is anticipated this time around.

Which Round 1 fixture are you most looking forward to?

 

Fans can find all the relevant information and kick-off times for these Round 1 fixtures here.

For information on SuperLeague+ and how to purchase your passes, click here.

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