GIANTS tickets for the three-game mid-season Super League XVI switch to Halifax’s Shay Stadium will be available from next Friday.
The Galpharm Stadium will be out of action during the summer to enable essential renewal of the specialist Grassmaster system used for the playing surface.
As a result, the ‘home’ fixtures against Castleford Tigers (June 5), Catalan Dragons (June 19) and Crusaders RL (July 3) are taking place in Halifax.
It is expected the capacity at the Shay Stadium will be tested and, therefore, all season-ticket holders are required to exchange their vouchers for each game for a match ticket from April 1 at the Galpharm ticket office.
Game vouchers will not be accepted at the Shay, so vouchers MUST be exchanged.
Season-ticket holders will be offered the choice of the Skircoat Stand or the new main stand (East Stand), with both offering excellent side-on views.
Tickets will then go on general sale from Wednesday, April 27, with the advise to pre-purchase as there may be no cash turnstiles made available on matchday.
But for more clarity on the situation, contact the club on enquiries@giantsrl.com or ring the ticket office on 01484 484123.
In tonight’s eagerly-anticipated Super League action, the meanest defence in the competition will be put to the test by the most potent attack the table-topping clash of the champions and Challenge Cup holders.
Wigan will be out to repeat the defensive heroics that restricted previous leaders Huddersfield to a solitary try last Friday and halt a free-flowing Warrington side that ran in 14 against Harlequins two days later.
The Wolves’ 82-6 rout of the Londoners, which took them to the top of the table, equalled the third highest win in the 16 seasons of Super League but assistant coach Willie Poching knows it will count for little against the only unbeaten team in the league.
“The players are professional enough to take what advantages they can out of the game last Sunday,” said Poching.
“We understand that this game will pose a different challenge. They’re the champions and they ran the champions of Australia close a few weeks ago.”
The biggest league crowd of the season so far is guaranteed for the derby at the DW Stadium. Wigan have sold around 20,000 tickets and are hoping to top the 22,701 crowd for the corresponding fixture last year.
“It’s a big game,” said Warriors coach Michael Maguire. “The players love playing in these games and in front of big crowds.”
Wigan’s Australian back rower Ryan Hoffman, who was at the heart of his side’s impressive 20-6 win over the Giants at the Galpharm, is just six games into his career in England but realises the importance of tonight’s fixture.
“Even this early in the season, it’s a game everyone is looking forward to,” he said.
“Warrington are on a bit of a roll. They certainly got some tryscoring practice at the weekend so we know our defence will have to be up to the standard it was against Huddersfield.”
In tonight’s other game, St Helens look to open their account at the Stobart Stadium at the third attempt when former boss Mick Potter takes his Bradford side to Widnes.
Saints are unbeaten away from home but have performed poorly at their temporary home, losing comprehensively against Warrington and Harlequins.
Potter, who was in charge of the club for two seasons before leaving in the winter, is playing down the significance of his return.
“I’m not too bothered about that,” he said. “It’s not about me.”
