In-form forward Cooper Jenkins reckons Leeds Rhinos have got their groove back - and will need it in Friday’s huge four-pointer with Wakefield Trinity.

Coach Brad Arthur’s side have found their form in recent weeks, winning four successive games since back-to-back defeats - at Trinity in the Challenge Cup and Hull FC - in the wake of their February trip to Las Vegas. Jenkins insisted: “There is a great feeling around the place.

“We fell off a bit after Vegas, but we’ve found our groove again. Everyone’s enjoying their footy and enjoying their time on and off the field.”

Rhinos are set to field the same 17 for a fifth successive game when they take on Trinity at AMT Headingley in Betfred Super League round 10. With no injuries in the pack, props Jeremiah Mata’utia and Tom Nicholson-Watton have been unable to break into the team in recent weeks and are on loan at Hull FC and Castleford Tigers respectively.

Cooper Jenkins, middle, with Leeds Rhinos teammates Danny Levi and Jake Connor. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Cooper Jenkins, middle, with Leeds Rhinos teammates Danny Levi and Jake Connor. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Teenage ‘middle’ Presley Cassell is also missing out, along with Ben Littlewood - who can play in the front- or back-row and is on loan at York Knights - and pre-season signing Ethan O’Neill, a second-rower. Jenkins said: “I am sure they are disappointed, but everyone’s putting their best foot forward at training, trying to get into the team. That’s why we are playing so good at the moment, everyone’s competing with each other, trying to be in the team and that’s showing on the field.”

Rather than rest players, Arthur has rotated his pack - particularly the front-rowers - to “share the workload”. That has seen Jenkins - a try scorer as a substitute in last week’s 46-4 defeat of Catalans Dragons - switch between the starting side and bench.

He insisted: “It’s good. Credit to our squad, we have a lot of good middles and he [Arthur] is rotating us around a bit trying to find the best starting pack. If I am off the bench or starting I take pride in my role and what I am doing.

Cooper Jenkins celebrates with Cameron Smith after scoring for Leeds Rhinos in their Good Friday win at Bradford Bulls. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“I thought I did a good job [last week] - everyone did. The starting boys laid a good platform for me to come on. Everyone understands; we have got such a good-quality team and a lot of good senior boys - Kal [Kallum Watkins], Keenan [Palasia] and Mik [Oldezki]. If those boys have to start, me and the other boys will do a job wherever we’re at.”

Rhinos good form will be tested by Trinity who have won three of the sides’ past four meetings. Jenkins warned: “They are going good. We really want to give it to them at home and show them what we’re about.

“We are all keen for it. We want to show our best side, we didn’t do anywhere near that last time. It was probably our worst performance and we want to come out and give the home crowd a good game.”

As well as avenging the Cup loss, a win would keep Rhinos top of the table. “It is early days, we don’t really look at that, but it’s good and we are really happy with our for and against as well,” Jenkins added.