Magic Weekend preview

The 16th Super League Magic Weekend is set to take place this weekend. It will be seventh time that Newcastle has hosted Magic Weekend as a full round of fixtures once again takes centre stage at the iconic St James' Park.

Saturday 3 June

Salford Red Devils v Hull KR (13.30) - Sky Sports Main Event & Arena

Hull KR head into this game having beaten the Red Devils in their last five Super League meetings. Only points difference separates the two sides on the Super League table as both clubs look to cement a spot in the top four. 

The Red Devils have been dealt a fresh injury blow following last weekends win against Hull FC after Andy Ackers left the field in the latter stages of the game due to a head knock. Ackers had only recently returned from a previous concussion and is now expected to miss the next month. 

Paul Rowley also revealed that Shane Wright will miss the remainder of the season due to requiring surgery on an injured ankle. 

The Robins are boosted by the possible return of experienced full-back Lachlan Coote for their trip to Newcastle. Coote has missed the past month with a hamstring injury but has been included in Willie Peters 21-man squad this week.

George King also returns to the Hull KR squad after missing the last two with a calf injury. Ethan Ryan sustained a broken jaw during last weeks golden point defeat to Wigan and drops out, as do Jimmy Keinhorst and Yusuf Aydin.

Running the show for @SalfordDevils ?@SneydMarc has been nominated for May's @GlensVodkaLLG Player of the Month ?

Voting open on the #OURLEAGUE app now ? #SuperLeague
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 1, 2023

Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons (15.45) - Sky Sports Main Event & Arena

The Warriors and Dragons are set to meet at Magic Weekend for the first time in 2023. The Dragons were victorious when the two sides met at the DW Stadium earlier this year, but there's nothing between the two sides on the league table. Catalans can leap frog Wigan into second place with another win against the Warriors on Saturday.

Wigan are boosted by the return of Jai Field ahead of Saturday's clash with Catalans. Field has been absent through injury since Round 7 as he looks to make a return to action at St James' Park. Academy product Harvey Makin is the player to make way.

Former Warrior Sam Tomkins returns to the Dragons squad ahead of his final Magic Weekend appearance. Experienced half-back Mitchell Pearce is also included alongside Alrix Da Costa. French trio Matthieu Laguerre, Cesar Rouge and Ugo Tison are the players that miss out.

Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers (18.00) - Sky Sports Main Event & Arena

The Rhinos were victorious when these two sides met at Magic Weekend last year. Rohan Smith will be desperate for a repeat this year as Leeds look to make a surge towards the top six during the second half of the season. For the Tigers, they have enjoyed just two wins all year and face a relegation battle with their neighbours Wakefield if their form does not improve.

Leeds are without Harry Newman, Aidan Sezer and Morgan Gannon after they all left the field through injury during last weeks golden point defeat to St Helens. James McDonnell is available after successfully appealing a two-match ban handed out following the same match.

Blake Austin is set to return after missing the Rhinos last two games, with James Bentley available after successfully completing his return to play HIA protocols. 

Castleford make just one change to their 21-man squad after falling short against the Giants last week. Jason Qareqare, who returns from his loan spell at Betfred Championship side Bradford Bulls, comes into replace Alex Sutcliffe, who has joined Halifax Panthers on loan. 

The Big Bopper returns to @WTrinityRL ?? pic.twitter.com/FVo8vLzfPR
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 31, 2023

Sunday 4 June

Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards (12.00) - Sky Sports Arena

Trinity head to Newcastle in search of their first league win of 2023 against a Leopards side that have won their last five league games. Leigh have the upper hand over Wakefield in recent meetings, winning their last three clashes with the West Yorkshire side, as Adrian Lam's team aim for their first ever win at Magic Weekend.

Mark Applegarth has been busy bringing in reinforcements as Wakefield look to fight their way up from the foot of the table. Sam Hewitt has returned to the club on a short term loan deal, whilst cult hero David Fifita has also re-joined the club after leaving at the end of the 2022 season. Both players could feature against the Leopards on Sunday.

Leigh will head up to Newcastle full of confidence as they look to continue their impressive winning run. One player who will not feature for the Leopards in Round 14 is back rower Frankie Halton. Halton suffered a pectoral injury during his Leigh debut against Warrington last week and is expected to be on the sidelines for an extended period.

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants (14.15) - Sky Sports Arena

The Giants boast the best Magic Weekend record across Super League having won 10 of their 15 Magic outings. They go into this year's event sat in ninth place, four points adrift of seventh placed St Helens. Both sides come into the contest off the back of much needed wins last time out as they look to claw their way into the top six.

Sione Mata'utia is free to play this week after avoiding a ban following his yellow card against the Rhinos last week. 

Adam Milner could feature for Huddersfield after joining the club on an initial loan deal from Castleford which will be made permanent at the end of the season.

What is the most memorable #MagicWeekend match of all time? ?

We've picked 4 ? Have your say on the #OURLEAGUE app ?

First up, @leedsrhinos' last-second victory over the Bulls in 2007 ? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/TEym69gyLO
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 31, 2023

Hull FC v Warrington Wolves (16.30) - Sky Sports Arena

Hull FC and Warrington meet for the first time at Magic Weekend in 2023. The Wolves - who sit top of the Betfred Super League table - will be looking for a response after losing away at Leigh last week, whilst Hull FC also tasted defeat away at Salford.

Davy Litten is expected to remain sidelined for at least another week following an injury picked up against Wakefield last month. Jamie Shaul could feature for the Black & Whites after making a successful return from injury for the club's reserve side last weekend.

Josh McGuire is expected to miss Warrington's trip to Newcastle after getting a knock on his knee during last weeks defeat at Leigh.