wigan warriors

Castleford bring in Jordan Thompson to replace on-loan Wigan winger Shaun Ainscough, who cannot play due to a prior agreement between the two clubs. Centre James Evans (quad) hopes to be fit, while Warrington forward Mike Cooper, Cas's other loan man, is in line for his home debut. Wigan play their first Sunday fixture of the new season at the Jungle.

The trip to France takes a lot out of you, so we haven't trained a lot this week, but coming back with a win gives you a lot of confidence.   -Terry Matterson

 

Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson hopes to extend the loan of Wigan Warriors winger Shaun Ainscough. The 20-year-old joined the Tigers on an original month loan in late February and Matterson is keen to keep him, with injuries still a problem. "We want to keep him and we'll have to talk with Wigan next week about it," Matterson told BBC Radio Leeds.

We want to keep him and we'll have to talk with Wigan next week about it   -Terry Matterson

 

And afterwards, some commentators reckoned that Giants' 26-20 win had ended their Rhinos hoodoo. Before last Sunday Giants had lost 22 of their 23 meetings with Leeds in Super League, but that had nothing to do with a hoodoo, bogey, or anything else along those lines. The fact is, Rhinos have such a good record against Huddersfield – even after last weekend's loss – because throughout their time as Super League rivals they have had a much better team.  

Chris Ashton will make his England debut on Saturday after being named in the side to face France in their final Six Nations game. Northampton Saints wing Ashton is the top try scorer in the Guinness Premiership and has been handed his first bow following Ugo Monye's neck injury last weekend. The call-up caps a fine season for the former Wigan Warriors rugby league star, who has 19 tries in all competitions so far this season.  

After losing half their opening six matches, Rhinos are now seventh in the engage Super League table, four points adrift of leaders Wigan Warriors. * Click here for latest Castleford Tigers news. The 26-20 setback at Huddersfield Giants on Sunday – following defeats against Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats – means Rhinos have lost to three of last season's top eight. *  

Warrington Wolves demolished Bradford Bulls with a thrilling second-half performance in the Engage Super League. Tries from Andy Lynch and Paul Sykes gave the Bulls a slender half-time advantage with Richie Myler crossing for Warrington on his return from injury. But an awesome second-half display that included two tries apiece for Ryan Atkins and Matt King as well as one from Michael Monaghan ensured a comprehensive win for the Wolves.  

RUGBY LEAGUETALENTED Furness girls showed rugby league isn't necessarily a man's game by displaying their skills at Craven Park. Pupils from St Bernard's and Dowdales schools took part in a nine-a-side tag match, under the watchful eye of Dave Clark, Barrow community rugby league coach and former Raiders player and coach. Clark, who starts his new role as community rugby development officer for Super League Wigan Warriors on Monday, took charge of the coaching session, alongside Barrow Island ...  

Warrington welcome back half-back Lee Briers, who has missed their last two games with an ankle injury. Richie Myler and Richie Mathers also return after missing last week's win over Crusaders with toe and groin injuries respectively. Bradford coach Steve McNamara has again named an unchanged 19-man squad for the trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.  

It's bad enough for Super League defences coping with Tomkins brothers Joel, 22, and Sam, 20. But they could soon have their hands full with another member of the Wigan Warriors' family - 18-year-old Logan. They could become the first trio to play in the same Super League outfit.  

The 2005 Wests premiership hero will travel to the US when his contract with Super League team the Wigan Warriors expires, in a bid to become rugby league's first gridiron star. Richards, who famously kicked a drop-out 91m while playing for Ireland in the rugby league World Cup, will go to the home of the brave looking to carve out a career as an NFL punter. "It is something he has thought about for a long time," said Richards' manager David Riolo.

He could just kick the ball a mile   -Steve Noyce