Legend Danny McGuire backs Leeds Rhinos' Wheelchair Challenge Cup final glory bid

McGuire, twice a Cup winner in the running game, presented Rhinos’ jerseys for Saturday’s showpiece against holders Halifax Panthers at Robin Park in Wigan. Rhinos have won the trophy three times from six finals, but this weekend will be their first appearance in the decider since losing to Catalans Dragons in 2022.

Coach James Simpson-Hill arranged for McGuire, who is rugby league impact and growth manager for Rhinos’ Foundation, to make the shirt presentation. The team boss said: “It was a really nice thing for the players.

“I didn’t tell the players he was coming and some of them did a double-take when he came through the door, like ‘is that Danny McGuire’?”

Ewan Clibbens will miss the rest of this season after suffering an injury at work, but England captain Tom Halliwell has a chance for playing in the final. Halliwell, sidelined for the whole of last year with a shoulder injury, made his comeback in a Betfred Wheelchair Super League game against Edinburgh two weeks ago.

“He has only played a bit of one game, but he is fit and we’ll see at the last training session if he is good enough to play,” Simpson-Hill said. “We don’t want to put him in there for the sake of it.

“He has to be there for a reason, not just because he is Tom Halliwell. He knows that. I am hoping he plays, but it has got to be meaningful.”

The coach added: “We have got a good squad; apart from Ewan everybody’s fit and a couple of younger reserve players will get named as well so they will get an opportunity to see what it’s like in a big game.”