2 changes to Leeds Rhinos' 21-man squad as Huddersfield Giants name only 20
Two changes have been made to Leeds Rhinos’ 21-man squad for the home clash with Huddersfield Giants on Friday.
As previously reported, full-back Lachie Miller begins a three-match ban and prop Tom Holroyd is ruled out because of a back injury. They are replaced in coach Brad Arthur’s initial group by youngsters Zak Lloyd and Jacob Hardy.
Back-rower Lloyd has yet to make his Rhinos debut, but has been in a previous 21 and played in the Betfred Championship on loan for Hunslet earlier this season. It is the first time Hardy, a loose-forward, has been named in the squad for a Super League match.
Presley Cassell and Fergus McCormack, who were unused reserves for last week’s defeat at Wigan Warriors, are set to come into the matchday 17 in place of Holroyd and Miller. Winger Riley Lumb and prop Tom Nicholson-Watton, who didn’t play against Wigan, retain their place in the 21.
Giants, under new coach Jim Lenihan, have named only 20 players in their initial squad. Adam Swift, Taane Milne, Asher O’Donnell and Jack Billington drop out from the group named ahead of last week’s loss to St Helens. Sam Hewitt, Kieran Rush and Connor Carr come in.
Rhinos’ 21 man squad is: Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Fergus McCormack, Zak Lloyd, Jacob Hardy.
Giants’ 20 is: Niall Evalds, Jacob Gagai, Tui Lolohea, Tristan Powell, Zac Woolford, Sam Hewitt, Harry Rushton, Fenton Rogers, Matty English, George King, Joe Greenwood, Kieran Rush, Mathieu Cozza, Chris Patolo, Connor Carr, Logan Blacker, Oliver Russell, Cole Geyer, Lee Kershaw, Lewis Jagger.