Leeds Rhinos news: 3 star men drop out as 21-man squad named for visit to Wigan Warriors

Rhinos fans’ player of the year Lachie Miller won't feature against Wigan Warriors on Friday. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

placeholder image — Rhinos fans’ player of the year Lachie Miller won't feature against Wigan Warriors on Friday. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has named his 21-man squad for Friday's trip to Wigan Warriors, with three big names dropping out.

Rhinos will be without full-back Lachie Miller and winger Ryan Hall from the team beaten by Catalans Dragons last Thursday, plus hooker Andy Ackers who was 18th man. The trio are all carrying knocks and – with Rhinos likely to finish fourth in Betfred Super League, whatever their result this week – won’t be risked for the final game of the regular season.

Prop Tom Nicholson-Watton makes a surprise return to the initial squad for the first time since suffering a stress fracture of a foot in May. On-loan Salford Red Devils forward Joe Shorrocks is back in contention after completing a two-match ban and teenage prop Presley Cassell, who was left out of last week’s 21, also returns.

Centre Ash Handley (groin) and scrum-half Jake Connor (rib) remain on the casualty list, though both have returned to training and are expected to be available for next weekend’s opening round of the play-offs. Outside-backs Alfie Edgell (foot), Ethan Clark-Wood (shoulder), and Maiko Sivo (knee) have been ruled out for the rest of the season, along with loose-forward Cameron Smith (back).

Friday’s hosts could still snatch second place if leaders Hull KR lose at home to Warrington Wolves tomorrow (Thursday) and Wigan pick up a big win against Leeds. Warriors boss Matt Peet has made one change to the squad named ahead of last week’s 62-6 defeat of Castleford Tigers, with Adam Keighran returning in place of Jacob Douglas.

Rhinos’ 21 is: Harry Newman, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Keenan Palasia, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Tom Holroyd, Jack Sinfield, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Riley Lumb, Ben Littlewood, Ned McCormack, Max Simpson, Kallum Watkins, Presley Cassell, Chris Hankinson, Joe Shorrocks.

Wigan’s squad is: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Jack Farrimond.