Leeds Rhinos news: teenager included as 21-man squad named to face Hull KR in Las Vegas
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has named a near full-strength 21-man squad for next Saturday’s Las Vegas showdown with Hull KR.
Rhinos fly to Nevada tomorrow (Monday) to begin preparations for the Betfred Super League round three clash against the newly-crowned World Club champions at Allegiant Stadium. As previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 17 players on duty in Friday night's win over York Knights will travel, along with captain Ash Handley and three from the reserve side which drew 18-18 with Wakefield Trinity yesterday.
Half-back George Brown, who played in Leeds’ opening two competitive games this year and turned 19 last week, has been included alongside forwards Ben Littlewood and Tom Nicholson-Watton. There is no place for winger Riley Lumb or prop Presley Cassell after they both featured in the Betfred Challenge Cup win at Widnes Vikings and opening league defeat to Leigh Leopards.
Handley has not played since suffering a groin injury in a pre-season game against Bradford Bulls last month. He remains a doubt, but will be given an opportunity in Vegas to prove his fitness.
England front-rower Mikolaj Oledzki will travel as a non-playing member of the squad. He is not available for selection as he recovers from a rib injury suffered in the Cup win at Widnes two weeks ago.
Rhinos’ 21-man squad for Las Vegas is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Ethan O'Neill, Cameron Smith, Jeremiah Mata’utia, Danny Levi, Ben Littlewood, Tom Nicholson-Watton, George Brown.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown between Rhinos and Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets