Leeds Rhinos make 3 changes as 21-man squads named for Wigan Warriors clash
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has made three changes to his 21-man squad for Friday’s huge game at Wigan Warriors.
England centre Harry Newman is set to make his first Leeds appearance since March 22. Newman, fresh from three games on loan with Hull FC, replaces Jack Bird in the initial group. Bird has undergone minor knee surgery, but could be back in contention after next week’s home clash with Huddersfield Giants.
Winger Riley Lumb, who hasn’t played for Rhinos since Betfred Super League round one in February, is also drafted into the 21 along with prop Tom Nicholson-Watton. Lumb played on loan for Hunslet two weeks ago, when Nicholson-Watton was with Castleford Tigers.
Ethan O’Neill and Harley Thomas, who didn’t feature in the matchday 17 for the previous game against Wakefield Trinity, drop out. O’Neill has joined Hull on a month’s loan and is likely to feature in their squad for the visit to Bradford Bulls on Sunday.
There is just one change to the hosts’ 21. Prop Ethan Havard returns from suspension in place of Liam Farrell who was in the second-row when Wigan beat St Helens in last Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final.
Rhinos’ 21 man squad is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Fergus McCormack.
Wigan’s 21 is: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, George Marsden.