Kyle Eastmond and Levi Edwards set to make their Leeds Rhinos debuts against Wigan Warriors
TWO PLAYERS at opposite ends of their career could make a debut for Leeds Rhinos against Wigan Warriors at Emerald Headingley tonight.
Former St Helens half-back Kyle Eastmond 31, who joined Rhinos last month on a two-season contract after a decade in rugby union, has been named in the initial squad, along with teenage second-rower Levi Edwards.
Eastmond, a dual-code international, began the 2019-20 campaign with Leicester Tigers, but has not played for more than a year.
Edwards could become the second 17-year-old to make his Rhinos debut in less than a week, following his ex-Siddal team-mate Morgan Gannon, who retains his place in the squad after featuring against St Helens in the Challenge Cup five days ago.
Liam Sutcliffe (knee) and Bodene Thompson (ribs) are included after missing last Saturday’s defeat and Corey Hall is also in contention, but King Vuniyayawa (concussion) drops out and Zane Tetevano is suspended.
Players still on Rhinos’ casualty list are Jack Walker (foot), Harry Newman (broken leg), Konrad Hurrell (calf muscle), Ash Handley (knee), Rob Lui (quad muscle), Luke Gale (broken thumb), Richie Myler (hamstring), Tom Holroyd (leg) and Callum McLelland (groin).
Wigan will be without Liam Byrne, who was suspended for one game following an incident in last Friday’s Challenge Cup victory at York City Knights.
Bevan French comes into the squad and Liam Farrell and Thomas Leuluai will return after being rested last week.
Mitch Clark is also in contention, along with James McDonnell.
Leeds Rhinos (from): T Briscoe, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, C Smith, Thompson, A Sutcliffe, Walters, L Briscoe, Donaldson, O’Connor, Broadbent, Hall, Edwards, Gannon, Eastmond.
Wigan Warriors (from): French, Hardaker, Leuluai, Singleton, Powell, Bullock, Isa, Farrell, Bateman, Partington, Smithies, Clubb, H Smith, Havard, Bibby, Clark, Shorrocks, Halsall, McDonnell, Hanley, Hastings.
Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield).
Kick-off: Today, 7.45pm.
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