Leeds Rhinos will open the 2023 Super League season when they take on Warrington Wolves in the first game of the campaign. Rohan Smith, who is in charge of his first full season as head coach, will take his side on the road to the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the opener, which takes place on Thursday, February 16th.
The game will be shown on Sky Sports against a Warrington side hellbent on overcoming a disastrous first season under Daryl Powell, with the Wolves finishing last season eleventh in the table. The Wire have undergone a mass rehaul of their squad having signed the likes of Paul Vaughan, Josh McGuire and Sam Kasiano.
There will only be five games in the first round of the season with St Helens' first round game with Huddersfield Giants postponed due to their involvement in the World Club Challenge. The Super League champions will take on Penrith Panthers down under that weekend to determine who is the best team in the world.
Read more: Gary Hetherington provides Leeds Rhinos recruitment update after Matt Prior departure
Two other games will be broadcast from round one. Leigh Leopards, on their latest return to Super League, will host last year's surprise package, Salford Red Devils on Friday, February 17th. And Channel 4 will also be part of the fin as they head to Hull a day later to show Hull KR's first game under Willie Peters' watch. They will host Challenge Cup holders Wigan Warriors.
The final two games of the round see Wakefield Trinity host Catalans Dragons on the Friday, with the round coming to a conclusion on Sunday, February 19th when Hull FC host Castleford Tigers. The full fixture list for the season will be published on Thursday morning.
Super League 2023 first round fixtures
Thursday February 16th
Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos (Sky Sports, 8.00)
Friday February 17th
Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils (Sky Sports, 8.00)
Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons (7.30)
Saturday February 18th
Hull KR v Wigan Warriors (Channel 4, 1.00)
Sunday February 19th
Hull FC v Castleford Tigers
Read next
Sign up for our daily free Rugby League Live newsletter here
Maths teacher who gave up job to play in World Cup has no regrets despite not featuring
England's wing conundrum with one certainty as Shaun Wane makes crucial decision
Andy Ackers faces nervous wait to discover if England quarter-final spot is secure
John Bateman set for Wigan Warriors exit as NRL return looms
