Wolves v Rhinos: Teams
Warrington and Leeds meet in a repeat of the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup final on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports.
Last Updated: 04/03/11 2:56pm
Warrington and Leeds meet in a repeat of the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup final on Saturday, with the two teams going into the clash off the back of contrasting results.
The Wolves ended a run of 22 successive defeats away to St Helens with an impressive 25-18 triumph at the Stobart Stadium last Friday.
On the same night, the Rhinos saw their perfect start to the 2011 campaign come to an end when were beaten at home by surprise package Harlequins.
Brian McDermott's side were not helped by the loss of prop Kylie Leuluai, who was forced off in the first half with an injury.
Scans have now revealed that the experienced forward suffered a tear to the pectoral muscle, meaning he faces at least six weeks on the sidelines.
However, there is better news for Leeds with second-rower Carl Ablett and full-back Brent Webb, with the pair included in McDermott's 19-man squad.
"It is a big blow for us losing Kylie Leuluai, he has been in top form so far this season and it will be up to the other guys to step up and fill that role within the team," the Leeds boss said.
"Ryan Bailey is continuing to rehabilitate from his groin injury and he could be available this week or it might be another couple of weeks, it is a situation that we are continually monitoring.
We are really pleased to have Carl Ablett and Brent Webb back available.
"Our physio, Dave O'Sullivan, has done a great job with Carl and if everything goes to plan who could be back two weeks ahead of the original forecast, which is a great help to the team."
Duo return
Warrington triumphed 30-6 in the cup final at Wembley last year to retain their grip on the trophy, although they lost both league meetings, including a 37-30 thriller at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in June.
The Wolves welcome back fit-again duo Jon Clarke and Simon Grix as they look for a third straight engage Super League victory.
They started their season with a disappointing loss to Huddersfield at Millennium Magic but have since got the better of Hull KR and Saints.
"We're trying to establish ourselves as a team that competes regularly and it's another test for us," said coach Tony Smith, who will come up against his former employers in front of the Sky cameras this weekend. "We want to get that consistency and add to our improving performance.
"In round one we weren't great, week two we were better, week three we were better again and I'd like to continue along that vein."
James Lowes will also be coming up against his old club; the former Great Britain hooker was assistant to Smith at Warrington last year but is now McDermott's No.2 at Leeds.
Warrington squad: Atkins, Blythe, Briers, Carvell, Clarke, Evans, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hodgson, Mitchell, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Riley, Solomona, Westwood, Wood.
Leeds squad: Webb, Smith, Senior, Hall, Burrow, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Cross, Bailey, Kirke, Burgess, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Jones-Bishop, McShane.