Warrington Wolves bid to finish in Super League's top two

With two rounds of the regular season to go, those hopes remain out of their hands for now, but they are at least in the conversation for skipping the eliminator round, which has been their undoing in their past four play-off campaigns.

It was Wigan Warriors who emerged victorious in the top-of-the-table clash with Hull KR on Friday night to put them firmly in the driving seat for the League Leaders’ Shield, and make it the Robins who are The Wire’s immediate target.

Here is how the table looks going into the penultimate round of regular-season fixtures…

(Image: NQ)

Super League’s top two – the state of play

Warrington’s 16-2 victory over St Helens on Saturday means they are guaranteed to finish no lower than third in the final table.

That would give them home advantage in the eliminator round against the team finishing sixth – currently Saints – and should they come through that, they would visit the second-placed team – currently Hull KR – in the semi-finals.

However, if they can improve their finish to second, it would mean a week off and a semi-final tie to be played at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

There is, of course, still a mathematical chance that Warrington could still win the League Leaders’ Shield, albeit a seemingly unrealistic one.

Here are the fixtures the current top three have remaining…

Wigan Warriors – Leeds Rhinos (H), Salford Red Devils (H)

Hull KR – Leigh Leopards (A), Leeds Rhinos (H)

Warrington Wolves – Huddersfield Giants (A), London Broncos (H)

Sam Burgess’ side need to take care of business in their two fixtures while hoping Hull KR slip up in at least one of theirs against two play-off chasers in Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos, with latter also travelling to Wigan Warriors this week.

They are also likely to need to achieve a swing in points’ difference – their figure is currently +301 while KR’s is +359, so winning both games by a margin of 20 points or more is likely to be their best bet.