Super League Rivals Round 2026: Old grudges return, iconic derbies stay a continuing

Easter is on the horizon and for many who comply with Super League meaning one factor and one factor solely… It is Rivals Round!

Over one weekend, previous wounds shall be reopened, households shall be divided, cities will break up in half as foes go to battle for 80 minutes.

Everywhere you look, there shall be historical past on the road. Over in Hull, east and west shall be firmly break up. This match may have been circled on the calendar as a should win

Billinge Hill separates St Helens and Wigan. Two cities round 10 miles aside with households straddling boundary strains. Your grandma would possibly help Wigan however should you help St Helens, for that in the future, the strains are drawn within the sand.

Then, we have now the return of Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos. The Bulls are again and for the primary time since 2014, two Yorkshire titans will conflict in Super League.

Rounding off the weekend, one other age-old derby takes to the stage when Castleford Tigers host Wakefield Trinity.

The coaches would possibly say there’s respect between the golf equipment, that they admire how the opposite performs, that they’re simply after a very good sport. Ask the followers? They are mendacity.

When discussing their sides’ probabilities for the Super League season amongst their mates or on the terraces they’ll say, “I don’t mind as long as we beat that lot on Good Friday”.

Objectivity disappears and followers’ vehement help for his or her facet will go away them unable to speak with anybody they know of opposition colors till the match is over.

With subjectivity and tribalism firmly in place for the following week, let’s have a look at what Rivals Round has in retailer…

For the 250th time: Hull KR vs Hull FC, Friday April 3, 12pm (12.30pm KO)

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In the one rivalry the place the 2 golf equipment are from the identical metropolis, Hull FC taking over Hull KR is a lesson in fierceness, deep-rooted disdain, and a possibility to point out who’s No 1 not solely within the metropolis.

Forget the Super League desk, going 1-0 up within the derby tally is the primary goal over Easter weekend and much more historical past is on the road as the 2 Hull sides go into battle for the 250th time.

The Hull derby opens up Rivals Round and with it, the Black and Whites and the Robins may have 80 minutes to try to get the prospect to say, ‘this metropolis is ours’.

Add within the additional issue that Hull KR are the reigning Super League champions, plus champions of the world, Hull FC may have by no means been extra motivated to knock them off their perch.

Both sides have had blended begins to the season. Hull FC have gained three and misplaced three, KR profitable two and dropping three.

However, they each are available in with confidence after some huge wins respectively. With back-to-back wins over Leeds and Catalans, John Cartwright’s Hull FC wish to present they will fly excessive. By beating St Helens, the Robins despatched a press release that they’re very a lot nonetheless right here.

On Friday, we’ll discover out who will get to make the following assertion.

St Helens vs Wigan Warriors, Friday April 3, 2.30pm (3pm KO)

Sky Sports+, Sky Sports Action

It is believed that the nineteenth Earl of Derby gave the identify ‘derby’ to simply two sporting occasions. Of course, one is the horse race at Epsom.

The different? Wigan Warriors vs St Helens.

When it’s mentioned in Super League which golf equipment have produced a wealth of academy merchandise, the primary two groups typically talked about are Wigan Warriors and St Helens, Historically, it’s that factor that makes this fixture that dates all the best way again to 1895 so risky.

Yes, Super League groups are laden with some Australian stars and gamers who undertake the city as their very own and are firmly invested within the fixture. But on the core of Saints vs Wigan is native lads taking part in for his or her hometown. They have gone from the terraces flinging insults to taking over their previous enemy within the iconic Good Friday conflict.

Add into that the truth that St Helens are coming in off their 52-10 drubbing from Hull KR and Wigan off the again of their poor loss to Huddersfield, either side NEED the Good Friday win.

Talk a few concoction brewed to provide drama of the very best order!

Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos, Friday April 3, 8pm

Sky Sports+

An iconic Super League derby returns! For the primary time since 2014, we’ll get to see this grudge match.

This derby epitomised the early 2000s because the neighbouring Yorkshire cities, laden with the most important stars, went into battle in entrance of a packed out Odsal or Headingley. It was bruising, it was robust, it was 34 gamers giving their all as a result of they knew that, after 80 minutes, they may finish it strolling round their metropolis being handled like heroes.

It is Odsal that will get to host the primary of this fixture in 12 years as Kurt Haggerty’s Bulls look to proceed their robust early cost. They come off the again of a troublesome loss to Castleford however, siting sixth within the desk, know a derby win would cement them as a powerful early shock package deal.

For the Rhinos, it’s a welcome return to have a rival on their doorstep and with it, it’s their likelihood to place their foot down and remind the Bulls they’re the Super League huge boys and that if anybody owns this space, it’s them.

Their robust win towards Warrington will stand them in good stead.

We will get to see if the Rhinos can keep rampant or if the Bulls are on the cost as soon as once more.

Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique, Saturday April 4, 6pm

Sky Sports+

We have one other returning derby over in France too as Catalans Dragons host fellow French outfit Toulouse Olympique.

Only twice earlier than have these two sides gone head-to-head, again when Toulouse have been in Super League in 2022.

The Dragons took the spoils in each of these.

Currently, simply two factors separate eighth-place Catalans and Tenth-place Toulouse.

In entrance of what’s at all times a fiery ambiance in Perpignan, this French rivalry will reignite.

Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity, Sunday April 5, 3pm

Sky Sports+

What a strategy to shut out Rivals Round and Easter weekend than with the West Yorkshire derby between Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity.

There is extra historical past to this feisty derby than Wakefield relegating Castleford on the ultimate day of the Super League season in 2006. It runs deeper.

There are threads of storylines and intertwined historical past working all through this Yorkshire tussle and one other chapter shall be written on Sunday night time.

Castleford come into the competition off the again of a much-needed win over Bradford. Wakefield have grown into the season and sit fairly in fourth and after 4 wins and two losses.

Trinity head coach Daryl Powell is aware of all concerning the Tigers, teaching all of them the best way to a Grand Final in 2017. Now he takes his Wakefield crew again as soon as once more to previous turf however this time because the enemy.

Castleford head coach Ryan Carr gave a rousing speech after their final win about how they confirmed their id within the method through which they performed. He might want to see that once more when previous foes flip up on his doorstep.

What different matches are there this weekend?

On Saturday April 4, there are two different matches so that you can take pleasure in alongside Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique. Huddersfield Giants welcome York Knights at 3pm, with Warrington Wolves towards Leigh Leopards, additionally at 3pm.

Both matches are reside on Sky Sports+.

2026 Super League – key dates and what to look out for

• Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
• Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.

Sky Sports will once more present each sport of the Super League reside this season – together with two matches in every spherical completely reside, with the remaining 5 matches every week proven on Sky Sports+