Super League: Beaten Grand Finalists Leeds to face Warrington in 2023 season opener
- Published
Leeds reached the 2022 Grand Final against the odds but were beaten by St Helens, who won their fourth straight title
Beaten Grand Finalists Leeds Rhinos will kick off the 2023 Super League season when they travel to Warrington Wolves on Thursday, 16 February.
Newly-promoted Leigh Leopards take on Salford Red Devils the following day, with Wakefield facing Catalans.
Hull KR will host Wigan on 18 February and Hull FC tackle Castleford a day later to complete the opening weekend.
Champions St Helens start a week later with a trip to Cas on 26 February in case of a World Club Challenge fixture.
They had been scheduled to open with a home game against Huddersfield, but Saints and Super League officials are working with Australia's NRL to finalise arrangements for a WCC game to be held on the same weekend of 18-19 February.
Saints, who won their fourth consecutive Super League title by beating Leeds 24-12 in the 2022 Grand Final, will play their round one fixture against the Giants later in the season.
Meanwhile, there will be no Easter double header as in previous years, with clubs instead playing just one fixture over the Easter weekend.
Castleford host Wakefield, Hull KR visit city rivals Hull FC, Wigan host Saints, Leigh welcome Salford, Warrington go to Catalans and Leeds face Huddersfield at Headingley in what has been rebranded as 'rivals round'.
The 2023 Super League campaign will consist of 27 rounds - including the Magic Weekend at Newcastle's St James' Park on 3 and 4 June - before the top six contest the play-offs at the end of the season.
The Super League Grand Final will take place at Manchester United's Old Trafford on Saturday, 14 October.
2023 Super League season - round one
Thursday, 16 February
Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos
Friday, 17 February
Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils
Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons
St Helens P-P Huddersfield Giants
Saturday, 18 February
Hull KR v Wigan Warriors
Sunday, 19 February
Hull FC v Castleford Tigers