Preston Grasshoppers make the trip across the Pennines on Saturday looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 25–34 home defeat to Otley. Despite some strong passages of play and a positive points difference on the season, Hoppers were punished by a clinical Otley side and will be eager to respond as the league table begins to tighten through the middle third.

Hosts Sheffield Tigers come into the fixture with renewed confidence after a dramatic 27–26 win away at Hull Ionians. That narrow victory has breathed life into their campaign, lifting them to 11th place on 20 points and keeping them firmly in touch with the teams just above them. Tigers have shown they can score tries — with five try-bonus points already — but have struggled defensively, conceding 298 points in ten games.

Hoppers currently sit 9th on 23 points, just three ahead of the Tigers and only one behind Otley and Wharfedale. With the league table congested from 7th downwards, every point carries real significance. A win on the road would push Hoppers back toward the middle of the pack, while defeat could drag them even deeper into the scrap for positions as the season reaches its midway point.

Both sides therefore meet with the same objective: climb the table, create momentum, and put daylight between themselves and the teams in the bottom four. For Hoppers, the challenge is clear — tighten up defensively, convert more of their attacking opportunities, and produce the consistency that has so far proved elusive.

A committed performance on Saturday could be exactly what’s needed to reignite Hoppers’ season.