Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos latest Challenge Cup team news: boss pays 'so valuable' tribute to super sub

Chris Hankinson is expected to be on the bench for the third successive game when Rhinos visit Trinity in the BBC-streamed Betfred Challenge Cup fourth round, but Arthur has hailed him as invaluable to the squad. The 33-year-old, who joined Rhinos from Salford Red Devils last season, can cover multiple positions and came on at centre for skipper Ash Handley during last Sunday’s win against Castleford Tigers.

Arthur said: “I was really proud of Ferg [David Ferguson] our physio and Adam [Megretton, head conditioner], they made some good, strong, tough calls the other day about getting Ash off the field. That’s their job and when you’ve got a bloke like Chris Hankinson on the sidelines, that gives us the luxury [of being able to do that].

“Ash probably could have stayed there, but it was risky. They made the decision to get him off and we had a bloke there more than capable of doing a good job. When Chris came on he did a great job for us; he can go into the back-row, he has played five-eight, he has gone to full-back for us - there’s nothing he can’t do and nothing he won’t do for the team.

“That’s tremendous on his behalf and shows how much the team means to him. He is so valuable, I love having him sitting there.

“He wants to be on the field 80 minutes and starting, but he understands his role and it is good for me having him on the bench because we can make the one change instead of having to move multiple positions and players and sides of the field around. He can go on and fill any side of the field, any position and it is one change and less distraction to the team.”

Handley, who has been carrying a groin issue, is set to continue as a starting centre this evening. Arthur said: “He should be fine. We are waiting on a few guys to make sure they got through training okay and pull up fine, but I am not seeing any problems there.”

Stand-off Brodie Croft (hamstring), prop Mikolaj Oledzki (ribs) and second-row James McDonnell (back) could all return from injury if they have no adverse reaction following Wednesday’s training session.

England winger Tom Johnstone is set to make his first appearance of 2026 for Trinity after recovering from a knee injury sustained in pre-season. Hooker Tyson Smoothy, an NRL Grand Final winner with Brisbane Broncos last year, remains sidelined with concussion and Mason Lino (hamstring) also misses out.

Wakefield Trinity: from Jowitt, Pratt, Scott, C Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, McMeeken, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Storton, Tevaga, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, H Smith, Vagana, Sinfield, Myers, Rourke, Lolesio, Tate.

Leeds Rhinos: from Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, R Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia, Hankinson, Jenkins, O'Neill, C Smith, Mata’utia, Levi, G Brown, Bird.

Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan). Kick-off: Friday, 8pm.