Youngsters drafted into Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad as more players go on loan ahead of Wakefield Trinity derby
Two youngsters have been called into Leeds Rhinos’ 21 for Friday’s huge derby with Wakefield Trinity as more players go out on loan.
Winger Riley Lumb and prop Tom Nicholson-Watton, who were both in the initial squad for last week’s 46-4 hammering of Catalans Dragons, will be with other clubs this weekend. Lumb has linked up with Hunslet RLFC and, as previously reported, Nicholson-Watton is set to play for Castleford Tigers at Hull KR tomorrow (Thursday).
Marcus Qareqare and Joe Diskin join Lumb at Hunslet and Jacob Stead has gone to Keighley. All three played in the reserves’ 36-24 defeat of London Broncos last Saturday alongside Lumb and Nicholson-Watton, but Rhinos’ second-string have no fixture this week.
Harry Newman and Jeremiah Mata’utia remain on loan at Hull FC and Ben Littlewood’s spell with York Knights has been extended for another week.
Rookies Fergus McCormack and Harley Thomas have been drafted into the 21 for the Betfred Super League four-pointer against Trinity. McCormack, a full-back or half-back, made his debut in Leeds’Challenge Cup win against Widnes Vikings at the start of the season. Thomas, who can play anywhere in the backs, is yet to play a first team game.
Trinity welcome back scrum-half Mason Lino after two games on the casualty list, but forward Seth Nikotemo is ruled out after failing a head injury assessment during last Saturday’s loss at St Helens.
England winger Tom Johnstone, who didn’t play last week because of knee and Achilles problems, drops out of the 21, along with rookie prop Ellis Lingard. They are replaced in the initial squad by youngsters Robbie Brook, a full-back and second-rower Zack Clegg.
Rhinos’ 21-man squad is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, 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, Ethan O'Neill, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Danny Levi, Jack Bird, Fergus McCormack, Harley Thomas.
Trinity’s 21 is: Oliver Pratt, Cameron Scott, Corey Hall, Jake Trueman, Mason Lino, Mike McMeeken, Tyson Smoothy, Ky Rodwell, Matty Storton, Jay Pitts, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Caius Faatili, Harvey Smith, Jack Sinfield, Jayden Myers, Josh Rourke, Tray Lolesio, Will Tate, Charlie Abraham, Robbie Brook, Zack Clegg.