AWAY fixtures against two title rivals will hand Warrington Wolves a testing lead-up to the play-offs in 2013.

A trip to St Helens – which comes the week after the Challenge Cup Final - and then a Super League campaign finale against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan makes for a tough run-in for Tony Smith’s boys.

Not that the start of the season will be easy.

After a home opener against Castleford Tigers, Wolves will face five of last season’s top eight finishers.

That run features Wigan away in round two, followed by Catalan at home, successive trips to Humberside, and then the visit of Saints, who will also be Wolves’ opponents on Magic weekend in May.

Good Friday will bring a trip to Widnes Vikings, while London Broncos will be in town on Easter Monday.

The first of the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final repeats with Leeds Rhinos will be at Headingley a week after Easter.

And the return clash against the champions has been changed since this morning's fixture announcement, with the game now taking place on Friday, July 5 instead of Sunday, July 7, for television purposes.

Four of Warrington’s first six games will be televised, as will the Monday night home clash with Wigan on June 24 among others.

Only two of Warrington’s opening 11 games will be in the traditional Sunday afternoon slot.

WARRINGTON WOLVES SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES 2013

Round 1, Sunday February 3

Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers (3:00pm)

Round 2, Friday February 8

Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (8:00pm SKY)

Round 3, Friday February 15

Warrington Wolves v Catalan Dragons (8:00pm SKY)

Round 4, Saturday February 23

Hull FC v Warrington Wolves (4.45pm SKY)

Round 5, Sunday March 3

Hull KR  v Warrington Wolves  (3:00pm)

Round 6, Friday March 8

Warrington Wolves v St. Helens  (8:00pm SKY)

Round 7, Friday March 15

Salford City Reds v Warrington Wolves (8:00pm)

Round 8, Friday March 22

Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants  (8:00pm)

Round 9, Friday March 29

Widnes Vikings v Warrington Wolves (3:00pm)

Round 10, Monday April 1

Warrington Wolves v London Broncos (3:00pm)

Round 11, Saturday April 6

Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves (5:45pm SKY)

Round 12, Sunday April 14

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Warrington Wolves  (3:30pm)

Round 13, Sunday April 28

Warrington Wolves v Bradford Bulls (3:00pm)

Round 14, Sunday May 5

Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves  (3:00pm)

Round 15, Sunday May 19

Warrington Wolves v Hull FC  (3:00pm)

Round 16 (Magic Weekend), Saturday May 25

St Helens v Warrington Wolves (6:45pm)

Round 17, Sunday June 2

Warrington Wolves v Salford City Reds (3:00pm)

Round 18, Saturday June 8

London Broncos v Warrington Wolves (3:00pm Venue TBC)

Round 19, Monday June 24

Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors (7:45pm SKY)

Round 20, Sunday June 30

Bradford Bulls v Warrington Wolves (3:00pm)

Round 21, Friday July 5

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos (8:00pm)

Round 22, Sunday July 21

Warrington Wolves v Hull KR  (3:00pm)

Round 23, Sunday August 4

Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves (3:30pm)

Round 24, Sunday August 11

Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats  (3:00pm)

Round 25, Friday August 16

Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings (8:00pm)

Round 26, Friday August 30

St Helens v Warrington Wolves  (8:00pm)

Round 27, Saturday September 7

Catalan Dragons v Warrington Wolves (6:00pm)

Play-offs, September 13/14

Play-offs, September 20/21

Play-offs, September 27/28

Grand Final, Old Trafford, Saturday October 5