Star returns as Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad named for huge game at Warrington Wolves
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has made one change to his initial squad for Thursday’s top-two showdown at Warrington Wolves.
Full-back Lachie Miller is included after completing a suspension and replaces winger Riley Lumb, who didn’t play in last week’s 48-24 win at Toulouse Olympique. Fergus McCormack retains his squad place after a three-game run at full-back during Miller’s enforced layoff.
Centre Jack Bird and prop Tom Holroyd also continue in the Betfred Super League leaders’ 21. Bird has missed four games following knee surgery and Holroyd the last three with a back problem.
Seventeen of Rhinos’ top-20 squad are in the initial group for Thursday. Ethan O’Neill and Jeremiah Mata’utia - who are on loan at Hull FC - miss out, along with long-term casualty Max Simpson.
Warrington are without centre Zack Gardner who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during last Thursday’s win at St Helens. Tommy Rhodes, who didn’t play in that game, also drops out and they are replaced in the 21 by Arron Lindop and Marc Sneyd.
Rhinos’ 21 man squad is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Danny Levi, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Fergus McCormack, Jack Bird.
Warrington’s initial squad is: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, Marc Sneyd, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Toff Sipley, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther, Iwan Irwin, Leon Hayes, James Bentley, Luke Thomas, Arron Lindop, Josh Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa, Lachlan Webster.