Leeds Rhinos to learn Challenge Cup foes as boss says 'don't care' about plastic pitch fear
Leeds Rhinos will learn their first opponents of 2026 this weekend and coach Brad Arthur has shrugged off worries about potentially starting the season on a plastic pitch.
Rhinos begin their competitive campaign at either Widnes Vikings or St Helens-based amateurs Thatto Heath Crusaders in the Betfred Challenge Cup third round on February 7-8. That is less than a week before they kick off in Super League at Leigh Leopards, on Friday, February 13.
Thatto, of the National Conference, play host to seven-time Cup winners Widnes in the second round on Sunday. Championship side Widnes will go into the tie as hot favourites and confident of booking their first meeting with Leeds since they were relegated from Super League in 2018.
Rhinos won 23-20 in a Challenge Cup clash at Widnes that season, before a 16-6 victory there in the middle-eights late in the campaign. But Halton Stadium’s artificial surface hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Leeds, who lost on four successive visits from 2015 to a Super League defeat early in 2018.
They picked up several injuries in the process, but Arthur insisted: “I’ll be putting out our best side available. Everyone wants to tell me about the surface, but I don’t care about the surface. We will play on a gravel road if we have to.
“It’s just what it is, we will deal with it. We need to have an attitude that we want to win everything and have no excuses. We need to treat the competition with the respect it deserves. There might be some smart choices we have to make around a couple of players, but overall we will be going with the best side possible.”
Widnes coach Allan Coleman described Leeds as a “perfect” draw, providing his men can get past their community game opponents this weekend. “First and foremost, we have got to beat Thatto Heath,” he stressed.
“They are a top amateur side and we’ve got to respect that, but if we can get past them, it’s the magic of the Cup. It gives you opportunities. I think the format is superb, it gives your players a day when they can embrace it and the fans can embrace it. Hopefully the Leeds fans will come in numbers, they have not been to Widnes for years, so we are really excited.”
Most neutrals are likely to be cheering on the amateurs, but at least one Rhinos player will want a Widnes win. Hooker Jarrod O’Connor was born in the town and joined Leeds from the Vikings.
“He is a Widnes kid so there’s a bit of excitement there,” Coleman said. “That’s a real plus for his family who are from Widnes and his dad [former Great Britain, Wigan and Vikings player Terry O’Connor]. There’s some good connections there.”
Coleman coached in the National Conference and with the England Community Lions so knows Thatto Heath will put up stern resistance. “They are well-drilled and organised and a tough outfit, so it will be a very tough afternoon,” he predicted. “Their big day is us and if we can get through, our big day is Leeds. It is exciting for both clubs. Fingers crossed we get the job done against Thatto and then we’ll embrace it and look forward to it.”