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PREVIEW: SWINTON LIONS V TORONTO WOLFPACK

09 June 2019

Heywood Road hosts a big Championship clash between Swinton Lions and Toronto Wolfpack. Here’s the latest preview…

Swinton Lions host Toronto Wolfpack in an exciting day at Heywood Road, with pre-game entertainment and a curtain raiser, with the Championship fixture kicking off at 6:00pm live on Sky Sports.

X Factor 2014 contestant Danny Dearden has been confirmed as the live music at Heywood Road, whilst Culcheth Eagles Under 11s and Folly Lane Under 11s kick-start the rugby league action as the curtain raiser.

Tickets have been dropped to just £5, allowing all fans across the country to enjoy this exciting fixture at Heywood Road.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game…

FORM GUIDE

Swinton Lions most recently were knocked out of the 1895 Cup by Dewsbury Rams at the Tetley’s Stadium in a high-scoring second-round fixture.

The Rams go through to the quarter-finals of the Cup following a 44-26 victory, which will see teams outside of the Super League appear at Wembley after the Challenge Cup final.

Liam Byrne and Jack Wells crossed for their first tries in Swinton colours, whilst teammates Rhodri Lloyd and Billy Brickhill also crossed. Jack Hansen also scored a four-pointed on his 50th appearance for the club.

In the league, Swinton made it back-to-back victories for the first time in three years following successes against Rochdale Hornets at Blackpool’s Summer Bash and Dewsbury Rams at Heywood Road.

May’s Player of the Month Gavin Bennion crossed for two late tries against Dewsbury to secure a 22-17 victory for Stuart Littler’s side, which saw the Lions jump to 10th place in the Betfred Championship table.

Toronto Wolfpack currently lead the way in the Championship, with just one loss in 15 games so far in 2019 and are currently on a nine-game winning streak.

Brian McDermott’s side enjoyed a weekend off during the Cup weekend, and last played against the Sheffield Eagles at Olympic Legacy Park with a comfortable 42-16 victory

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two sides last met at the end of April, which saw the Swinton Lions a part of history as the largest Championship crowd in five years gathered at Lamport Stadium for Toronto’s opening home fixture.

It was an entertaining game in Toronto, with the hosts claiming the two-league points with a 52-10 victory. Tries from Gareth O’Brien, Blake Wallace, Bodene Thompson, Andy Ackers, Andrew Dixon, Ricky Leutele, Tom Olbison and Adam Higson.

The Lions crossed for two tries through wingers Matty Ashton and Mike Butt.

TEAM NEWS

Richard Lepori is set to make his debut for the Lions after signing with the club on a deal until the end of the season, whilst Samy Kibula could also feature from Wigan Warriors following his one-month loan agreement.

Ashley Warne has also been named in the 19-man squad by Littler, whilst Mike Butt could make his 100th appearance for the Lions if selected.

Jon Wilkin is also set to make his 500th career appearance today as he features for the Wolfpack.

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE WOLFPACK: Ashton, Bennion, Brickhill, Butt, Fairclough, Gray, Hansen, Hatton, A.Jones, P.Jones, Kenga, Kibula, Lepori, Paisley, Shelford, Warne, Waterworth, Wells.

WOLFPACK SQUAD TO FACE LIONS: Russell, Stanley, Leutele, Kay, Mellor, McCrone, Sidlow, Beswick, Sims, Dixon, Thompson, Wilkin, Ackers, Olbinson, Wallace, Higson, Mullally, Worthington, Nawsthorne.

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