LAST year, Warrington Wolves' place in the top six was not fully secured until the very last regular-season game.

This time around, however, things look to be much less nervous - and their play-off place can be mathematically secured as early as Friday.

Saturday's 24-6 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Magic Weekend puts Sam Burgess' side 10 points ahead of the Rhinos with a maximum of 10 to play for, meaning the only way in which they can now overhaul them is via points difference.

Warrington have a sizeable advantage on that front - their figure is currently +269 while Leeds' is +15.

Leigh Leopards, however, are still capable of catching Warrington - they are nine points behind following their 26-0 win over Salford Red Devils to kick off Day Two of Magic Weekend. The two sides meet at Leigh Sports Village on Friday, August 30.

However, The Wire would put both sides out of reach - and thereby secure a finish of no lower than sixth - simply by winning at Castleford Tigers on Friday night.

Their spot could even be sealed with a defeat if both Leigh and Leeds lose their Round 23 matches - the Rhinos host Catalans Dragons on Friday night while Adrian Lam's Leopards visit London Broncos on Sunday.

How the Super League play-offs work

Warrington are among a trio of sides currently best-placed to contend for top-two finishes alongside Hull KR and Wigan Warriors, both of whom sit two points further ahead and secured their own top-six finishes with Magic Weekend victories over Catalans and St Helens respectively.

Finishing in the top two would mean having a week off as those teams placing between third and sixth battle it out in the eliminator round before enjoying home advantage in the semi-finals the following week.

Finishing third or fourth would mean home advantage for the eliminators, but any semi-final would be played away from home.

Super League 2024 play-off dates

September 27-28 - Eliminators (3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th)

October 4-5 - Semi-finals (1st vs lowest-ranked eliminator winner, 2nd vs highest-ranked eliminator winner)

October 12 - Super League Grand Final