Easter is on the horizon and for those who follow Super League that means one thing and one thing only… It is Rivals Round!
Over one weekend, old wounds will be reopened, families will be divided, cities will split in half as foes go to battle for 80 minutes.
Everywhere you look, there will be history on the line. Over in Hull, east and west will be firmly split. This match will have been circled on the calendar as a must win
Billinge Hill separates St Helens and Wigan. Two towns around 10 miles apart with families straddling boundary lines. Your grandma might support Wigan but if you support St Helens, for that one day, the lines are drawn in the sand.
Then, we have the return of Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos. The Bulls are back and for the first time since 2014, two Yorkshire titans will clash in Super League.
Rounding off the weekend, another age-old derby takes to the stage when Castleford Tigers host Wakefield Trinity.
The coaches might say there is respect between the clubs, that they admire how the other plays, that they are just after a good game. Ask the fans? They are lying.
When discussing their sides’ chances for the Super League season among their friends or on the terraces they will say, “I don’t mind as long as we beat that lot on Good Friday”.
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Jack Welsby goading Wigan fans after scoring for St Helens particularly pleased Sam Tomkins on commentary, as it reminded him of his former antics, like this example from back in 2012
Objectivity disappears and fans’ vehement support for their side will leave them unable to communicate with anyone they know of opposition colours until the match is over.
With subjectivity and tribalism firmly in place for the next week, let’s see what Rivals Round has in store…
For the 250th time: Hull KR vs Hull FC, Friday April 3, 12pm (12.30pm KO)
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Hull KRs’ Elliot Minchella was sin-binned for this tackle as things got heated in the Hull derby
In the only rivalry where the two clubs are from the same city, Hull FC taking on Hull KR is a lesson in fierceness, deep-rooted disdain, and an opportunity to show who is No 1 not only in the city.
Forget the Super League table, going 1-0 up in the derby tally is the main objective over Easter weekend and even more history is on the line as the two 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 will have 80 minutes to try and get the chance to say, ‘this city is ours’.
Add in the extra factor that Hull KR are the reigning Super League champions, plus champions of the world, Hull FC will have never been more motivated to knock them off their perch.
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Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast with Jenna Brooks, Hull KR’s Jez and Hull FC’s Davy Litten discuss who their family support when the cousins face each other
Both sides have had mixed starts to the season. Hull FC have won three and lost three, KR winning two and losing three.
However, they both come in with confidence after some big wins respectively. With back-to-back wins over Leeds and Catalans, John Cartwright’s Hull FC want to show they can fly high. By beating St Helens, the Robins sent a statement that they are very much still here.
On Friday, we will find out who gets to make the next statement.
St Helens vs Wigan Warriors, Friday April 3, 2.30pm (3pm KO)
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St Helens and Wigan players were involved in a mass brawl during their Super League clash in 2004 on Good Friday
It is believed that the 19th Earl of Derby gave the name ‘derby’ to just two sporting events. Of course, one is the horse race at Epsom.
The other? Wigan Warriors vs St Helens.
When it is discussed in Super League which clubs have produced a wealth of academy products, the first two teams often mentioned are Wigan Warriors and St Helens, Historically, it is that element that makes this fixture that dates all the way back to 1895 so volatile.
Yes, Super League teams are laden with some Australian stars and players who adopt the town as their own and are firmly invested in the fixture. But at the core of Saints vs Wigan is local lads playing for their hometown. They have gone from the terraces flinging insults to taking on their old enemy in the iconic Good Friday clash.
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Take a look back at Welsby’s dramatic last-minute try to seal victory for St Helens against Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final in 2020
Add into that the fact that St Helens are coming in off their 52-10 drubbing from Hull KR and Wigan off the back of their poor loss to Huddersfield, both sides NEED the Good Friday win.
Talk about a concoction brewed to produce drama of the highest order!
Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos, Friday April 3, 8pm
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An iconic Super League derby returns! For the first time since 2014, we will get to see this grudge match.
This derby epitomised the early 2000s as the neighbouring Yorkshire cities, laden with the biggest stars, went into battle in front of a packed out Odsal or Headingley. It was bruising, it was tough, it was 34 players giving their all because they knew that, after 80 minutes, they could end it walking around their city being treated like heroes.
It is Odsal that gets to host the first of this fixture in 12 years as Kurt Haggerty’s Bulls look to continue their strong early charge. They come off the back of a tough loss to Castleford but, siting sixth in the table, know a derby win would cement them as a strong early surprise package.
For the Rhinos, it is a welcome return to have a rival on their doorstep and with it, it is their chance to put their foot down and remind the Bulls they are the Super League big boys and that if anyone owns this area, it is them.
Their strong win against Warrington will stand them in good stead.
We will get to see if the Rhinos can stay rampant or if the Bulls are on the charge once again.
Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique, Saturday April 4, 6pm
Sky Sports+
We have another returning derby over in France too as Catalans Dragons host fellow French outfit Toulouse Olympique.
Only twice before have these two sides gone head-to-head, back when Toulouse were in Super League in 2022.
The Dragons took the spoils in both of those.
Currently, just two points separate eighth-place Catalans and 10th-place Toulouse.
In front of what is always a fiery atmosphere in Perpignan, this French rivalry will reignite.
Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity, Sunday April 5, 3pm
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Highlights of Wakefield Trinity’s clash with Castleford Tigers in the Super League
What a way to close out Rivals Round and Easter weekend than with the West Yorkshire derby between Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity.
There is more history to this feisty derby than Wakefield relegating Castleford on the final day of the Super League season in 2006. It runs deeper.
There are threads of storylines and intertwined history running throughout this Yorkshire tussle and another chapter will be written on Sunday night.
Castleford come into the contest off the back of a much-needed win over Bradford. Wakefield have grown into the season and sit pretty in fourth and after four wins and two losses.
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Wakefield Trinity prop Caius Faatili goes 70 metres to score against Castleford Tigers
Trinity head coach Daryl Powell knows all about the Tigers, coaching them all the way to a Grand Final in 2017. Now he takes his Wakefield team back once again to old turf but this time as the enemy.
Castleford head coach Ryan Carr gave a rousing speech after their last win about how they showed their identity in the manner in which they played. He will need to see that again when old foes turn up on his doorstep.
What other matches are there this weekend?
On Saturday April 4, there are two other matches for you to enjoy alongside Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique. Huddersfield Giants welcome York Knights at 3pm, with Warrington Wolves against Leigh Leopards, also at 3pm.
Both matches are live 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 again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
