Jake Connor was the standout performer as Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos dismantled Toulouse Olympique with a commanding 46‑0 victory, while Wigan Warriors stayed within striking distance of the top, edging Leigh Leopards 20‑8. Connor not only crossed the line twice but also slotted seven conversions, accounting for the bulk of Leeds' points. Early in the game, Ned McCormack saw a promising try ruled out for a knock‑on, offering Toulouse a fleeting glimmer of hope before Leeds resumed their relentless assault. The opening half saw Connor exploit a gap twelve minutes in, aided by a deft pass from Riley Lumb, to register the first try.
He then displayed his vision with a no‑look flick that set up Mikolaj Oledzki for the second score. Just before the break, Tom Holroyd added a third after receiving an off‑load from Presley Cassell, further stretching the lead.
In the second half, James McDonnell found a seam four minutes after the restart, and shortly before the hour mark, Leeds shifted the ball across the width of the field, allowing Harry Newman to dive in the corner, though Connor missed the conversion for the first time that night. Connor quickly redeemed himself, scoring his second try four minutes later after gathering a high ball and grounding it safely. Late‑stage scores from Brodie Croft and Lumb padded an already lopsided scoreboard, sealing a comprehensive win for Leeds.
Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors celebrated a tenth straight triumph across all competitions by defeating neighbours Leigh Leopards 20‑8. The match began at a frenetic pace, with Leigh’s Adam Cook slotting a penalty after nine minutes following a forward infringement by Umyla Hanley.
The early points set a competitive tone, but Wigan soon asserted dominance. Leigh attempted to thwart Wigan’s advances by committing their bodies to the defensive line, hoping to capitalize on occasional errors from the hosts.
At the 29‑minute mark, Jake Wardle broke free from his own line and passed to Liam Marshall, who sprinted almost the length of the field to score in the corner. However, a video review showed Wardle had pushed Hanley, resulting in a penalty.
Cook elected to kick for goal, extending Leigh’s lead to eight points. Leigh’s defensive effort had been commendable, yet three minutes before halftime they faltered. Field seized a penalty deep in his own half, surged through the Leigh line, and raced to the posts before any defender could intervene, adding another try for Wigan.
In the second half, Harry Smith’s successful kick reduced Leigh’s deficit further. Four minutes later, the visitors seized the lead when Jack Hughes attempted an extra pass, which Noah Hodkinson collected and fed to Bevan French, who dived under the posts for a try.
Leigh’s coach Adrian Lam’s expression grew grim in the 51st minute when a handling mishap allowed Zach Eckersley to intercept and sprint to the line for a score. The Warriors capitalised on another Leigh error shortly thereafter; Eckersley deftly passed to Hodkinson, who crossed for a fourth try in the corner. Despite Leigh’s attempts to mount a comeback, Wigan’s disciplined defence held firm, expanding their advantage to six points and handing Leigh their first loss in six games.
Additional Super League action on the same Friday saw Joe Burgess reach the milestone of 200 career tries, scoring twice as Hull KR overwhelmed Bradford Bulls 40‑16. Hull KR entered halftime up 16‑10 and later added tries from Jez Litten, Tom Davies and Elliot Minchella, propelling the reigning champions into the top four. The weekend’s fixtures also included Huddersfield Giants edging Hull FC 22‑16 on Thursday, July 30, and a slate of upcoming matches: Castleford Tigers vs Warrington Wolves at 3 pm, York Knights vs St Helens at 5.30 pm, and Catalans Dragons vs Wakefield Trinity at 8 pm on Saturday, August 1.
For fans eager to follow the competition, Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game live this season, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available via Sky Sports+. Ticket information and live streaming options are also accessible through the league’s official platforms.