Leeds Rhinos news: 21-man squad named for Catalans Dragons showdown as young back recalled
Leeds Rhinos have confirmed their 21-man squad for Friday’s visit of Catalans Dragons.
Coach Brad Arthur has made one change to the initial group named ahead of last week’s 56-22 win at Huddersfield Giants. Winger Riley Lumb, who has not played since Leeds’ defeat at Leigh Leopards in Betfred Super League round one, two months ago, is recalled in place of prop Jeremiah Mata’utia.
Mata’utia, whose previous first team appearance was against Castleford Tigers in March, is set to feature on loan for Hull FC at Castleford Tigers on Friday, along with Leeds’ Harry Newman who is on a similar deal. Rhinos’ 17 could be unchanged, but Arthur admitted he may reshuffle his pack and bench “just to [try] different combinations, managing game loads and time and sharing it around a bit”.
He stressed: “They all want to start, which is great, but they understand what we are doing. It’s not about taking the opposition lightly or a resting policy, it’s just making sure we give everyone an equal opportunity and keep everyone on their toes with their performances. They know they have got to be at their best because other guys want the opportunity to start or get more minutes.”
Catalans’ interim-coach Ryan Sheridan - a Challenge Cup final winner with Rhinos in 1999 - has made just one change to his 21, Josh Allen replacing Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e who was 18th man for last Saturday’s 38-22 win against Warrington Wolves.
Rhinos’ 21-man squad is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, 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, Ethan O'Neill, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Jack Bird.
Catalans’ 21 is: Charlie Staines, Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Solomona Faataape, Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd, Chris Satae, Julian Bousquet, Ben Condon, Benjamin Garcia, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Allen, Romain Navarrete, Harvey Wilson, Kruise Leeming, Zac Lipowicz, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lenny Marc, Ugo Tison, Leo Darrelatour, Alexis Lis.