Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals

4-1 drop goal could clinch cup classic

LEE-DING THE WAY: Briers can inspire Warrington down back to Wembley

Back from a glorious two weeks in the Dominican and rugby league welcomes me home with a Saturday Challenge Cup blockbuster. The other three quarter-final contests promise to be tasty clashes as well.

Champions and Super League leaders Wigan Warriors are 7-2 with Unibet to win the Cup before coach Michael Maguire returns Down Under to link up with South Sydney, but will have to overcome holders Warrington Wolves - 12-5 Sportingbet to seal a hat-trick of Wembley triumphs.

The Cherry and Whites were my pre-season tip to top the regular season standings, but Wire to take the Grand Final honours at Old Trafford. This should be an almighty blood and thunder contest between the two best teams the country this campaign and it's a tough one to call for punters.

Wire have ran in 35 more tries than Wigan in Super League this term and Tony Smith's defence has been imposingly cruel, though the Warriors have shipped 10 less points themselves.

Both head into this fixture in fine form, Wigan with six straight wins and Warrington five. The bookies are, not too surprisingly, struggling to split the two - hosts Wire slight favourites at 17-20 (Sportingbet) and Warriors at 5-4 (Blue Square).

Wolves won 24-6 at Wigan in round seven and if they can put in a similar defensive effort will not be too far off the money.

I think home advantage and the return of Lee Briers could prove decisive for Warrington. Victor Chandler offer 4-1 on a drop-goal being scored in the 80 minutes and I think that's a great offer given this should be tight, the importance of the game and, of course, the presence of one-point specialist Briers.


Last year's finalists Leeds Rhinos head to the KC Stadium to face their tormentors in the 2005 showpiece, Hull FC.

Surely the Airliebirds will improve on their dire showing in the 20-0 defeat to the Rhinos last week, but Paddy Power offer 4-6 on another Leeds win and the gulf between both sides last week suggest that is the mosty sensible bet on offer.

Leeds are also way off the pace in Super League and the Cup offers what is realistically their only chance of silverware. Danny McGuire can lead the way at 12-1 with Stan James for the first try and a Rhinos win by 11-20 points is 10-3 with Paddy Power.

St Helens, winners in 2006, 2007 and 2008 will also realise that Wembley is also their most likely route to success this season and the visit of Hull KR is unlikely to halt their march into the semi-finals.

Winger Jamie Foster is in red-hot form right now, five tries in his last two games, and is the best bet in first try stakes - 8-1 with Hills, while Saints are bound to deliver with a handicap at -14 on offer at 10-11.

In the remaining quarter-final Castleford Tigers welcome Huddersfield Giants and this game is all about the hosts' in-form stand-off Rangi Chase - 16-1 with Sky Bet to grab the first try of the game.

The Giants 36-0 loss at Bradford last week was a real surprise and I think Cas can rub salt into the wounds at 7-4 with Totesport.

If you're chasing a treble, wins for Leeds, Castleford and Warrington combine at a price of 8.5-1.

Super League Betting Tips - Round 21 (Friday)

Wolves pack a punch at 10-11 handicap

WATCHFUL EYE: Tony Smith has transformed Wire into title contenders

Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants

My pre-season tip for Grand Final glory Warrington are still looking red-hot and I think Huddersfield will get their fingers burnt on Friday night.

Wolves' 48-18 win at Castleford Tigers last week was their seventh win from eight in Super League and Tony Smith's table-toppers sit two points above the Giants.

Huddersfield, though, have beaten the Wire twice this campaign and will be keen to halt what is turning into a worrying record on the road.

Nathan Brown has seen his team lose four of their last five on their travels. A 40-12 hammering at champions Wigan suggested the growing belief that the Giants could mix it with the big boys may be a little premature, while losses at Wakefield and Crusaders should have set alarm bells ringing.

Wolves are 10-11 with Skybet with a handicap of minus 12 points and I think they are worth tucking into to claw back that deficit.

The return of Danny Brough, if he makes it, would be a major boost to the visitors – his kicking game has been integral to their attack this season and his combination with stand-off Kevin Brown would not look out of place on the international scene.

That said, Wolves have a terrific squad and, even without the experienced pairing of Adrian Morley and Lee Briers through injury, I expect them to have too much attacking intent for the Giants.

It's a real clash of styles with Huddersfield's game revolving around the boot of Brough and a solid pack, while Wolves love to off-load with a real emphasis on pace and support play. Huddersfield, notorious for  holding on in the tackle, will look to contain Wire's massive pack from getting their arms free and offloading, but it's easier said than done.

These are the top two try-scoring teams in Super League, but the very fact that Warrington have ran in 41 more tries than their nearest rivals, really does highlight their attacking prowess right now.

Richie Myler is a real talent playing on the shoulder and I'd back him to run in the first try at 12-1 with Hills.

SELECTIONS:
Warrington win -12 handicap (10-11 Skybet)
Richie Myler first try (12-1 William Hill)


Hull FC v Salford

Salford are hitting some great form with four wins in five, but I can see them coming unstuck against Hull FC.

This is another contest in which the handicap appeals - bet365 offering 4-5 on an Airliebirds success covering 10 points.

Hull had won three in a row before last week's defeat to St Helens and have steadily improved over recent months. Their convincing 32-16 win over the Reds in round 16 showed they have more than enough about them to condemn Salford to another defeat.

Tom Briscoe bagged two tries against Saints last week and is the man to back in the first scorer stakes – 10-1 with Betfred.

SELECTIONS:

Hull FC win -12 handicap (10-11 Skybet)

Tom Briscoe first try (10-1 Betfred)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 19 (Friday)

Hungry Wolves will maul Saints

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE: Ben Westwood's tackling has been ferocious

Warrington v St Helens 

Wolves are aiming to seal their first ever Super League double over St Helens and I'm backing Tony Smith's men to do just that at 3-10 with Betfred.

Warrington have been sensational at times this season, top points scorers, best defence and looking very much Grand Final material.

Smith's table-toppers have led the standings for 10 of the 18 rounds this season and look too good for Saints right now.

Royce Simmons visitors may only be three points off the Wire, but punters should read little into that misleading statistic.

Take more notice of this – Wolves have racked up 191 more points than Saints so far this campaign and shipped 103 less points.

At times, a fierce defence and an expansive attack orchestrated by Lee Briers has seen Wolves looking almost unstoppable, while Saints showed very little against Wigan last week to suggest they are ready for this assignment.

With the exception of two defeats to Huddersfield, Wolves have been in great shape against Super League's big hitters this term.

Leeds have been hit for an aggregate score of 82-30, Wigan were humbled 24-6 on their own patch and Saints were also beaten on home turf, 25-18 back in round three.

Saints lacklustre 32-10 loss to the champions last week, allied with a run of four away games without a win, means their price of 11-4 (Boylesports) has little appeal.

Warrington's defence has been brutal this season. Ben Westwood's efforts in particular have hugely impressed, though it is very much a disciplined team unit.

In attack, the likes of Westood, Gareth Carvell, Paul Wood and Adrian Morley have laid the perfect platform for the likes of Brett Hodgson and Briers to weave their magic and, with two of the best centres around in Chris Bridge and Ryan Atkins, Wolves have plenty of ammunition out wide.

One major aspect to Wolves' play is the amount of offloads they are coming up with – 284 in total, that's 83 more than Saints.

It was a high-profile trait during Smith's reign at Leeds that the Rhinos topped the table for offloads and it is no surprise to see the Wire now succeeding with similar tactics.

On the evidence of what I've seen this season, I am left to think that the only question for punters is how many points Warrington will run out winners by.

Led by their two instrumental James's, Roby and Graham, Saints will no doubt put up a fight, but a Wolves win by 21-30 points is worth a punt at 5-1 with Paddy Power.

Warrington to win both halves also catches the eye at 11-8 with bet365.

I've always sang the praises of Bridge, a hugely talented and creative ball-runner, but he also knows the way to the line and he is available at 12-1 with Betfred to grab the first try.

Winner: Warrington (3-10 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Wolves by 21-30 points (5-1 PADDY P) / Wolves win both halves (11-8 BET365)
First Tryscorer: Chris Bridge (12-1 BETFRED) 

11-1 Jones-Bishop will lead Rhinos charge

RHINO RETURN: Jones-Bishop is a great prospect for the Blue and Amber

Leeds v Bradford 

These two teams headed into this corresponding fixture last season in similar predicaments and played out a thrilling 20-20 draw.

Once again Leeds are struggling to establish themselves among the top four, while Bradford, at this stage at least, look no better than 12 months ago.

Skybet offer 25-1 on another share of the spoils, but I think Leeds should have too much for their West Yorkshire rivals.

The Rhinos defence has been shoddy at best this term, but 20 points shipped in their last two games reflects a modicum of improvement in that area.

In attack, the Blue and Amber have run hot and cold, but even if the likes of Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield and Brent Webb are just luke warm, you sense the hosts should have too much quality for the Bulls.

Much will be made of Matt Diskin's return to Headingley and I'm confident the home faithful will give the hooker the reception he deserves after more than a decade with Leeds.

With that exception, though, I doubt Diskin's return will be an enjoyable one. Bradford have shown few signs of improvement this season and sneaking into the play-offs is surely coach Mick Potter's most realistic target.

Two wins in nine is hardly helping the Bull's cause and, short of ideas in attack, I think Leeds' defence will cope well enough, despite conceding a few points along the way.

Young winger Ben Jones-Bishop was on fire at the start of the season before injury struck and he can grab the first try of the game on his return to action – best priced 11-1 with Totesport.

McGuire was back on the scoresheet in last week's narrow 12-7 victory at Crusaders and is 12-1 with Betfred to run-in the last try.

Winner: Leeds (2-7 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Leeds by 16-20 points (11-2 BETFRED)
First Tryscorer: Ben Jones-Bishop (11-1 TOTESPORT)


Crusaders v Salford

Crusaders are looking to clinch a hat-trick of wins over the Reds this year and they look great value to do so at 10-11 with Betfred.

Iestyn Harris' Welsh outfit smashed Salford 42-12 in their Cardiff season opener and edged out the Reds 16-10 in round eight.

After a shock 18-16 win at leaders Warrington, Salford were brought back down to earth by Castleford last week and I think basement club Crusaders can continue their recent dominance over the Reds, having won the previous five League meetings.

Harris thought his team were unfortunate to come away from their last contest against the Rhinos empty handed, but he'll be in better spirits after this 80 minutes.

Aussie stand-off Michael Witt is key for Crusaders and he looks nicely priced for the opening score at 16-1 with Betfred.

Winner: Crusaders (10-11 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Crusaders by 1-12 points (2-1 BET365)
First Tryscorer: Michael Witt (16-1 BETFRED)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 15 (Friday)

14-1 McGuire will lead Rhinos' charge 

TRY MACHINE: Leeds' Danny McGuire remains a great first scorer option

Leeds v Warrington

I know, it has been away a while, but fear not, I've not been on the end of a Gareth Raynor right-hook, just a little snowed under at work.

This preview should hopefully herald a triumphant return and I'm backing a resurgent Leeds to beat Warrington – best priced at 9-5 with Stan James.

Six successive wins in all competitions has restored confidence among Rhinos fans after a shaky start, but they now sit just three points off Friday night's opponents and league leaders Warrington.

Wolves cruised to a 40-24 victory over Leeds in round four, but the Blue and Amber have steadily improved and are a much sterner test with England duo Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire back in their ranks.

McGuire and full-back Brent Webb return from short injury stints on the sidelines to boost Leeds' support play artillery and you need look no further for a first try-scorer tip.

McGuire is always my first port of call in this market where Leeds are concerned and the 14-1 on offer from Hills should be gobbled up. His timing and anticipation, playing on the shoulder of his forwards remains of the highest order.

The loss of Keith Senior will be a blow to the Rhinos but, with Webb back at full-back, can Lee Smith return to form at centre? 

The former union convert was a stand-out performer before his brief flirtation with the other code, but has struggled to find his feet since...

Punters should take note that Wolves, despite their vast improvement under the guidance of Tony Smith, have failed to win at Headingley on their last four visits.

Leeds have been comprehensively beaten by Wolves, Huddersfield and St Helens so far this campaign, but now in better form, I rate Brian McDermott's team as a decent shout to get one over on his former Leeds mentor Smith.

The Rhinos, despite a few suggestions from the Sky Sports punditry team to the contrary, are far from a spent force, as shown in their 22-22 draw with champions Wigan.

Leeds should have ran out easy winners in that contest, but for some kamikaze defence, and now with Peacock and McGuire to lead the way, I think they'll find the inspiration needed to see off the Wire.

It will be a stern test of Leeds' credentials this season. Smith has Warrington running red-hot. Statistically, they have the top attack and defence in the league, scoring over 100 points more than their nearest rival, ironically Leeds.

Amazingly, Wolves have racked up 312 points and conceded only 14 in their last four games in all competitions. They are my tip to win the Grand Final, but they'll be a few defeats along the way. Leeds are due a result against one of the big guns.

That said, if Leeds offer up another lacklustre 80 minutes of defensive lapses, it would be no surprise to see Wolves run riot yet again. 

But I think Leeds will be switched on for this one. They need to make a statement. They must prove to themselves that they can still beat the best.

Leeds' defensive efforts this term would suggest a home win would need to be a close run affair and a 1-12 points success catches the eye at 10-3 with Coral. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kevin Sinfield put over a one-pointer and a drop goal is 9-2 with Betfred.

Winner: Leeds (9-5 STAN JAMES)
Score Tip: Leeds by 1-12 points (10-3 CORAL)
First Tryscorer: Danny McGuire (14-1 WILLIAM HILL)

Super League Round 5 (Friday)

C-ASH IN: Salford's Ashley Gibson is 16-1 with Hills to bag the first try

Leeds v Salford 

The Rhinos' injury crisis deepens every passing week and Salford will have no better opportunity to grab what would be only their second ever win over the Blue and Amber in the Super League era.

The Reds are best priced at 5-1 with Boylesports and, in the words of Leeds coach Brian McDermott, must be "rubbing their hands together on two fronts.

"They'll be thinking our pack is a bit lightweight and, if you look at the footage from last week, they'll be thinking all they have to do is get near the try line and they'll come up with some joy."

True enough, Leeds' error prone efforts and lacklustre defence in their 40-24 defeat at Warrington, allied with that mounting injury list, suggests Salford are in with a shout at Headingley.

The Rhinos will line-up without a recognised prop, with Jamie Peacock, Ryan Bailey, Kylie Leuluai and Luke Burgess all sidelined, while Aussie recruit Ben Cross misses out through suspension.

Salford, meanwhile, have virtually no injury concerns and look destined to boss this game down the middle of the park. Ian Kirke and Jamie Jones-Buchanan will be pushed up into Leeds' front row and will need to play out of their skin if the hosts are to prevail.

Leeds clearly have enough creativity and pace in their backs to cause problems, but at a pathetic 1-7 with Hills, the Rhinos are best avoided. Salford are the only team worth backing in this contest and decent value at 5-1.

Winner: Salford (5-1 Boylesports)
Score Tip: Salford by 1-5 points (10-1 William Hill)
First Tryscorer: Ashley Gibson (16-1 William Hill)

St Helens v Harlequins 

Quins bright start was halted by Huddersfield last week and St Helens are 1-7 favourites with Betfred to inflict back-to-back defeats on Rob Powell's men.

The Londoners have only beaten Saints once in Super League and will struggle to contain a James Roby inspired St Helens at the Halton Stadium.

Roby is already flourishing thanks to the extra game time provided by Keiron Cunningham's retirement, with the hooker topping Super League's ball carrying metres table – 762 and counting.

The 25-year-old is also towards the top of the offloads standings and Roby's ability to drive Saints forward at pace will prove decisive in this contest.

Australian prop Josh Perry will be making his Saints' bow and will certainly give Quins plenty of food for thought in the middle of the park.

Winner: Saints to win (1-7 Betfred)
Score Tip: Saints by 21-55 points (15-2 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Paul Wellens (14-1 William Hill) 

Wakefield v Warrington 

Wolves were rampant against Leeds last Saturday and I can't see anything other than a fourth straight win for Tony Smith's impressive team at 1-12 (Betfred).

Teenage centre Rhys Evans was the stand-out performer in that 40-24 defeat of Leeds, but there was plenty of Warrington players who caught the eye, particularly hooker Michael Monaghan.

It seems inevitable that the Wildcats will succumb to a third successive defeat. Heavy losses to Salford and Bradford, two teams who will certainly finish below Warrington in the standings, does not bode well.

Warrington are 15-2 with Betfred to win by more than 41 points and, sadly for Wakey fans, I wouldn't rule it out. The Wire are running red-hot right now.

Warrington's Chris Riley has scored tries in the Wolves' last three Super League meetings with Wakefield and he therefore is the obvious tip to open the scoring at 10-1 with sportingbet.

Winner: Warrington to win (1-12 Betfred)
Score Tip: Warrington by 41+ points (15-2 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Chris Riley (10-1 sportingbet)

Super League Round 4 (Saturday)

FRIENDS REUNITED: Wolves boss Tony Smith can guide his team to
victory against former club Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium 

Warrington v Leeds (Saturday)

LEEDS RHINOS endured an injury-hit start to last season and they are having no better luck so far this campaign, with four first teamers ruled out for the trip to Wolves.

New coach Brian McDermott tasted success in his first two contests against Bradford and Hull FC, but a combination of injuries and a lacklustre performance saw Leeds fall to pace-setters Quins last Friday.

The Rhinos, 13-8 with Betfred, were without Brent Webb, Carl Ablett, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey, Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire through injury against Quins and require a giant effort to edge out a Wire side so impressive in turning over St Helens last week.

Kyle Leuluai is now another injury casualty, though Ablett, Webb and Bailey are all back in contention for this clash. It should be a great contest, but I'm backing Warrington boss boss Tony Smith to bag two points against his former club.

Lee Briers helped himself two tries in that success over Saints and is 20-1 (Stan James) to grab the first try, while the hosts are 1-2 with Betfred to prevail.

Leeds have enough talent to put up a fight, but I can see a Wolves win by 6-10 points (5-1 Hills), with Richie Myler's fine support play making him a terrific price to grab the final try at 16-1 with Skybet.

Winner: Warrington to win (1-2 Betfred)
Score Tip: Wolves to win by 11-15 points (7-1 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Lee Briers (20-1 Stan James)

Catalans Dragons v St Helens (Saturday)

WITH Kyle Eastmond's end-of-season switch to Union now confirmed, St Helens are free to focus on racking up some points rather than hanging onto their best young talent and a trip to France is just what the doctor ordered.

Last week's loss to Warrington will give Saints all the incentive they need to bounce back to winning ways and at 4-11 with Betfred, the bookies clearly agree that the visitors have this one in the bag.

After a surprise loss to Wakefield on home soil, Catalans responded well with a shock win of their own at Hull KR, but I think Saints should be clear winners here and bet365's 11-8 on an away win by 13+ points should be snapped up.

As for a first tryscorer, there's only one man to back. Eastmond is 14-1 with Hills to bag the first four-pointer and, with the speculation out of the window, he'll show his worth.

Winner: St Helens to win (4-11 Betfred)
Score Tip: Saints to win by 13+ points (11-8 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Kyle Eastmond (14-1 Stan James)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 3 (Friday)

SHOULD I STAY OT SHOULD I GO? Kyle Eastmond is in talks about a
possible move to rugby union, but has been in fine form for Saints

 St Helens v Warrington (Friday)

I MAY have tipped Warrington for success this year, but it’s impossible to ignore The Wire’s  hoodoo against Saints.

The Wolves have won just one of 31 Super League games against St Helens and have yet to taste victory at Knowsley Road in the summer era.

Regardless of this contest taking place at Widness’ Stobart Stadium ¬- Saints temporary home during their own ground developments – it would be crazy for punters to ignore Warrington’s horrific form in this fixture.

Royce Simmons’ team followed up their sensational comeback against champions Wigan in the opening round with an emphatic 56-22 romp at Salford and look good value for another two points at 4-9 with Stan James.

James Roby and Kyle Eastmond were both back to their best last week and will prove influential once again, though Wolves’ Michael Monaghan is also showing some terrific form.

Monaghan will be at the hub of Warrington’s best work and Tony Smith’s men have more than enough quality to push Saints all the way. Sadly for Wire fans though, there seems to be a psychological barrier that their team just cannot pass in this fixture.

Winner: St Helens (4-9  Stan James)
Score Tip: Saints to win by 1-5 points (13-2 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Kyle Eastmond (14-1 William Hill)

FAMILIAR FACE: Leeds' Ben Jones-Bishop impressed on-loan at The Stoop
last season and can sink his old pals at Headingley on Friday night

Leeds v Harlequins (Friday)

SECOND hosts third at Headingley and, despite Leeds’ growing injury list, I expect Harlequins’ flying start to come to a sudden halt.

Rob Powell’s men spanked Salford at Cardiff and edged out Crusaders at The Stoop last week, but the Rhinos have shown enough form early on to suggest an upset is not on the cards, even though Betfred’s 1-9 on a home win is far too short.

Brian McDermott will be missing Carl Ablett, Ryan Bailey, Ben Cross, Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire, but the early performances of Rob Burrow, Kallum Watkins and Ben Jones-Bishop tell me the Rhinos will have plenty of points in them in this 80 minutes.

Jones-Bishop has been in scintillating form, scoring a terrific long range solo try in the win at Hull last week and is worth a punt in both the first and last try-scorer markets at 11-1 with Hills to add to his three tries this campaign.

Winner: Leeds (1-9  Betfred)
Score Tip: Leeds to win by 16-20 points (11-2 Totesport)
First Tryscorer: Ben Jones-Bishop (11-1 William Hill)

Super League Top Try Scorer Betting

MY OH MY: Wolves' Richie Myler is a stunning 35-1 with Paddy Power

LEEDS RHINOS' Ryan Hall heads the betting to top the Super League try chart in 2011 but, at 10-1 with Betfred and as short as 8-1 with Stan James, I think there’s better value to be had.

Hall is an accomplished finisher. He was fifth in the standings with 23 tries last year, 12 months after leading the way with 28 scores in 2009. The Leeds ace is a physically imposing winger with speed to burn and I fully expect Hall to be fighting it out to be top dog once again. But who will he be up against?

Well, there are some eye-catching odds in this market and none more so than St Helens' Kyle Eastmond. The scrum-half ran in 15 tries in 19 games for Saints last season and, should he avoid the injuries that have so far dogged his early development, the 25-1 Victor Chandler have priced up certainly catches the eye. However, with talk of an impending switch to union still doing the rounds, the St Helens man is best avoided.

Warrington's Joel Monaghan will have to endure plenty of stick from the terraces this campaign after his controversial exit from the NRL, but the bookies would be barking mad to dismiss the former Canberra centre and Hills clearly think the Wolves recruit is up to the task – 12-1 to top the charts. 

Team-mate Chris Riley is also high up in the betting at 16-1 (Betfred), but I rather fancy Monaghan could outscore the 22-year-old. He is quality player who should have few problems settling it at Wolves.

Man of Steel Pat Richards clinched this market last year with 29 tries, but missing through injury early on, Wigan's Darrell Goulding is perhaps a better Cherry and Whites prospect, best priced at 14-1 with Victor Chandler. Richards, though, is still a threat according to Hills - 18-1 to retain his place at the top of the standings.

Sam Tomkins is 25-1 with Betfred and looked a deadly finisher from full-back last term. That notorious turn of pace and side-step should see England's bright young hope to the try line on a regular basis and Tomkins is well worth an each-way flutter at that price.

Another Warriors man, Amos Roberts, is 16-1 with Stan James, but is unlikely to hit the ground running after a long injury lay-off last season. 

Ade Gardner (20-1 Hills) used to top this betting market, but is merely a finisher in my eyes and unlikely to rack up any tries through his own hard work. With just 14 tries last year, I'd give Gardner the swerve and think James Roby - an astonishing 80-1 with bet365 - could be the darkhorse in this market.

Roby managed 13 tries last term with limited game time due to his regular interchange with Kieron Cunningham, but with more minutes on the field, Roby could turn out to be a very profitable each-way option.

Huddersfield pair Leroy Cudjoe (20-1 Blue Square) and David Hodgson (25-1 Blue Square) are also contenders, while Hull KR's Peter Fox and cross-city rival Tom Briscoe (both 20-1 Coral) will also have their backers.

Elsewhere, Danny McGuire's form last year would have made him a stand-out bet in this market and, even 11 weeks away from fitness, still has the bookies running a little scared at 20-1 (various).

For me though, Richie Myler sparkles with value at 35-1 with Paddy Power. The scrum-half bagged 15 tries last season and has a support game that boss Tony Smith should ensure is fully utilised at Warrington as Myler shows his class after a testing end to 2010. 

TOP TRYSCORER SELECTIONS:

Sam Tomkins - Each way (1/4) - 25-1 Betfred

James Roby - Each way (1/4) - 80-1 bet365

Richie Myler - Outright - 35-1 Paddy Power