For only the second time in the history of Super League, Warrington Wolves head to AMT Headingley for a Play off clash against Leeds Rhinos as Sam Burgess' side aim to end their wait to walk out at Old Trafford with a result on Friday night, kick off 8pm.

As a side who have gone about their work largely under the radar, the Wire have enjoyed a much improved 2026 after the disappointments of 12 months ago. Currently holding the record for the most final appearances without a win to their name since the Grand Final started in 1998, they hope this year is indeed their year as they aim for a first Championship title since 1955.

Here's a look closer look at the Wolves:

Key Playmakers

George Williams

Club Apps: 119 | Club Tries: 42

Could Friday's game be George Williams' final minutes in the Betfred Super League? The Warrington skipper will be hoping not as he aims to end Warrington's wait for an Old Trafford appearance ahead of a move to the NRL next season.

A player who has tasted victory champagne and lifted the Super League trophy with Wigan Warriors, he has yet to deliver final success for Warrington during a six-year stay in primrose and blue, but has been a key catalyst in the club's development alongside Sam Burgess. Serving as captain since 2025, this season saw him miss a chunk of the middle of the campaign after a neck injury against Catalans required surgery. Bouncing back in style during August, he tops the stats records amongst the league's half backs for carries, metres and line engagements since returning to action against York, plus he is level with Wigan's Harry Smith and Toulouse's Thomas Lacans for kick try assists. He also recorded tries against Hull KR and Huddersfield before adding a drop goal in the eliminator versus the Robins.

Having played Leeds 27 times in his career, he has 10 tries and 19 wins. Only five of those wins have come at AMT Headingley.

Danny Walker

Club Apps: 179 | Club Tries: 24

Since being signed by the Wolves from Widnes in 2019, Walker has turned into one of the stars of the Super League competition and is playing himself into Brian McDermott's England squad for later this month.

Now in his eighth season with the club, he has been one of the top attacking hookers in the competition over the course of the year, leading in tackle breaks (45), metres (2,009) and dummy half runs (151). At the Wolves, only Walker and Albert Hopoate have played every game for Warrington in 2026, with the hooker returning three tries against Hull KR, York and Huddersfield. 

Ewan Irwin

Club Apps: 23 | Club Tries: 6

Even with Williams departing, the club looks to have secured its future at half back as Irwin has been fast-tracked into the Super League side over the course of the season. From his performances, it would come as no surprise if he was in the running for the competition's Young Player of the Year award.

After debuting towards the end of 2025, the homegrown player has stepped up to play alongside Williams to feature 18 times in the league season and finish as the club's top points scorer with 182 in all competitions. Amongst players under the age of 21 this year, only Saints' Harry Robertson and Hull's Logan Moy have more game time under their belt than the Wire half back, who ranks sixth overall for his conversion kicking with 66 in total. At just 18-years old, he aims for his first win over the Rhinos having featured in both defeats in 2026.

Matty Ashton

Club Apps: 135 | Club Tries: 111

Six tries in his last four games (including three against the Robins) sees Ashton come into the semi-finals as the in-form winger in the Super League competition.

Aiming for a fifth season as the club’s top try scorer, he’s currently five short of his season’s best tally (27 in 2024) as he has responded to being ruled out of last season through injury to touch down 22 times during the current campaign. His hat trick performance in the eliminator is only his seventh hat trick the winger has scored whilst in Wolves colours and the second he's scored in 2026 after running in three tries as part of a 72-6 demolition of Castleford in round five.

His record doesn't stop there as he leads the club and Super League stats charts for total line breaks.

Betfred Super League 2026 season in numbers

Games Played: 28

Games Won: 21

Top Try Scorers: Matty Ashton (22 tries)

Top Points Scorer: Ewan Irwin (152 points)

Top Try Assister: George Williams (16 assists)

Top Ball Carrier: Albert Hopoate (501 carries)

Top Metre Maker: Albert Hopoate (4,420 metries)

Top Tackle Breaker: Albert Hopoate (115 breaks)

Top Line Breaker: Matty Ashton (32 breaks)

Top Offloader: Toby King (35 offloads)

Top Tackler: Ben Currie (967 tackles)

Leeds vs Warrington in Super League

Last ten meetings:

Warrington 6, Leeds 34 (SLR15, 18/06/26)

Leeds 26, Warrington 22 (SLR6, 29/3/26)

Leeds 36, Warrington 12 (SLR14, 14/6/25)

Warrington 16, Leeds 14 (SLR6, 28/3/25)

Leeds 6, Warrington 24 (SLR22, 17/8/24)

(at Elland Road, Leeds)

Warrington 30, Leeds 18 (SLR17, 11/7/24)

Leeds 8, Warrington 34 (SLR7, 5/4/24)

Leeds 24, Warrington 22 (SLR22, 20/8/23)

Warrington 6, Leeds 22 (SLR17, 29/6/23)

Warrington 42, Leeds 10 (SLR1, 16/2/23)

Super League summary

Warrington won 30 (includes wins in 2006 and 2013 play-offs)

Leeds won 43 (includes win in 2012 Grand Final & 2011 play-offs)

1 draw

Warrington highest score: 52-18 (H, 2016) (Widest margin: 42-6, A, 2011)

Leeds highest score: 54-16 (H, 2006) (Widest margin: 52-10, A, 2007)

Last Time Out

More information

All tickets have now been released for general sale for this Friday's game, with fans encouraged to buy now to avoid disappointment.

Ticket prices start from £26 for Adults, £21 for Concessions and £14 for Juniors, plus Rhinos 2026 Members can still get £5 off their ticket up until midnight on Thursday 24th September.

For more information, head to our information page.