Briers calls on Warrington Wolves to stand up and be counted against St Helens

Warrington have a wretched record against their neighbours having lost to them 13 times in a row in Super League and managed only one win in 31 attempts.

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Briers, who started his professional career with Saints, kicked eight goals in that solitary victory back in 2001 at Warrington's old ground at Wilderspool.

And they could do with ending their jinx before they face Saints again in the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup in a fortnight's time.

They are in danger of dropping out of the top six after losing their last three league games and although Saints are not pulling up too many trees either Briers knows what to expect from them on Friday.

"I can guarantee they will be in top form against us. They usually are," he said.

"We know what's coming. The question is, how do we stop it? We need to stand up to be counted and get on a roll ourselves."

The return of three Great Britain players, full back Stuart Reardon, all-rounder Paul Johnson and rampaging skipper Adrian Morley, could be crucial but Saints will probably field their strongest side so far this season.

Great Britain forwards James Graham and Lee Gilmour are fit again and four more experienced internationals, Sean Long, Paul Sculthorpe, Leon Pryce and Jason Cayless return after being rested for last week's cup tie against London Skolars.

"I have got the problem of who to leave out and I have not had that difficulty so far this year," said Saints coach Daniel Anderson.

Leeds Rhinos will open up a six-points gap at the top of the table if they win at Hull KR on Friday but they have five senior players out injured and keep three rising stars, Danny Allan, Kallum Watkins and Ben Jones-Bishop, in their squad.

Rhinos coach Brian McClennan said: "Rovers have got some real danger men which shows the size of our task. We have flattened off a bit since Easter and need to ramp things up again."

Castleford Tigers, who give shamed sprinter Dwain Chambers his first outing on Sunday, in a reserve-team friendly against York at The Jungle, have strengthened their senior squad with two signings.

Brendan Hlad has joined them from Penrith and goes straight into their squad for Saturday's game against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

Former Wakefield prop Ned Catic, who has been playing in France for Lyon, will arrive in time for next week's Millennium Magic game against his old club in Cardiff.

Wigan may lose their influential Australia half back Trent Barrett midway through his three-year contract.

Barrett returns after injury at Bradfordon Saturday but is considering seeking his release for "family reasons".