8 hrs

MATCH PREVIEW | Rhinos and Wolves set for huge showdown in Academy league

Victoria Park hosts the clash of the Under-18s Academy season so far as the competition's two unbeaten sides, Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos, go head to head on Saturday afternoon, kick off 1pm.

Both clubs have matched each other's record since round one as they've battled it out at the top of the standings. After beating Bradford 80-0 in May, the Rhinos have held onto first place for the last five rounds with wins over Salford, Wakefield, the Bulls again and St Helens last time out in a 38-0 win. A hat trick from George Brown against Saints ensured that the Rhinos took the league points off the Red Vee, plus Oscar Brown continued his excellent season as he moved level with Jacob Hardy as the leading try scorers for the Rhinos this year with nine tries.

After losing out to the Wolves when the clubs met late on in the 2024 Academy season, the Rhinos are out for revenge as Chev Walker's side look to move a big step closer to securing a home semi-final. Should they get the two points this weekend, they need to finish the year with away wins over Leigh and Hull FC, as well as a home clash with Hull KR, to confirm a place in the top two.

Richard Marshall's Warrington side has also proved impressive throughout the campaign so far.

They started the season on fire as they saw off St Helens, Bradford and Leigh by accumulating 134 points and only conceding 18. An away trip to Hull KR in May was a closer affair as the Wolves came away 14-12 victors before normal service resumed in high scoring wins over Wakefield, Castleford and Hull FC in their next three games.

Last time out, they inflicted a 62-6 win over the Leopards, but now they face two stern tests as the Rhinos and Wigan Warriors both arrive at Victoria Park in the next three weeks. Huddersfield can also close the gap to the Wolves in the table as they meet in the penultimate game of the year before the Wire close the season at home against Salford.