Super League Preview: Warrington v London

Warrington will have at least two reasons to be fired up ahead of the visit of London Broncos on Monday.

The Wolves suffered a 62-18 hammering the last time they played London, a week before their latest Challenge Cup triumph in August, and on Good Friday, they were beaten 38-22 by local rivals Widnes.

Friday was their third defeat in five Super League matches, although they are still just two points behind league leaders Wigan.

Head Coach Tony Smith said: “London have found some form in recent times and are improving. We understand it will be a tough fixture for us. It’s a test of everyone’s mettle over Easter on how teams back up from one game to another with such a short turnaround. 

“We understand that poses a test in itself and with the experience of their players and the number of changes in personnel including a new coach at the back end of last year they’ll also be trying to find some consistency in their performances. We will go out there and show them the respect they deserve.”

London are without a host of players following Thursday night’s defeat against Catalan.

Chris Bailey, Mark Bryant, Tony Clubb, Luke Dorn, Craig Gower, Jamie O’Callaghan and Shane Rodney all drop out of the 19-man squad, with Shane Grady, Alex Hurst, Mike McMeeken, Chris Melling and Scott Wheeldon all coming in.

Youngsters James Woodburn-Hall, 18, and Erjon Dollapi, 20, could make their Super League debuts if selected.

Warrington 19-man squad: Atkins, Bridge, Carvell, Cooper, Currie, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Hodgson, J Monaghan, M Monaghan, Myler, O’Brien, Ratchford, Waterhouse, Westwood, Williams, Wood.

London 19-man squad: Channing, Colbon, Cook, Dixon, Dollapi, Fisher, Grady, Hurst, Kaufusi, Krasniqi, Lee, Lovell, McMeeken, Melling, Randall, Sarginson, Wheeldon, Witt, Woodburn-Hall.

Prediction: The Wolves will have been licking their wounds over the Easter weekend and will want to bounce back with a convincing win – home win.

Stats:

Warrington have won their last four home meetings with London Broncos/Harlequins. The capital side’s last win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium was as Harlequins – 8-6 on 29 March, 2008.

The last London Broncos win at Warrington was 28-14 on 30 April, 2002 at Wilderspool.

Super League summary:

Warrington won 20
London Broncos won 17
Warrington highest score: 82-6 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)
London Broncos highest score: 62-18 (H, 2012) (Widest margin: 60-8, H, 2009)