Bad news for Leeds Rhinos with 3 issues as Wigan given big boost

Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has two problems to solve in the middle of the field ahead of Saturday’s visit of Wigan Warriors.

Leeds Rhinos team news

Leeds will be without prop Mikolaj OIedzki after he aggravated a rib injury during last weekend’s defeat at Salford Red Devils and loose-forward/captain Cameron Smith is ruled out for the first time this year as he serves a one-match ban. Tom Holroyd remains on the casualty list with what is expected to be a season-ending concussion, so Rhinos are without both their first-choice front-rowers.

Justin Sangare is likely to be one of the starting props against Wigan, with either James Donaldson or Mickael Goudemand, who are both utility-forwards, also in the front-row.

Arthur has drafted hooker Corey Johnson into his initial 21-man squad, which suggests Jarrod O’Connor will move from the substitute acting-half role to starting loose-forward. Winger David Fusitu’a is back in the 21 following two games on the sidelines with a calf muscle injury and Luis Roberts drops out.

Wigan Warriors team news

Wigan boss Matt Peet has named an unchanged squad from Tuesday’s 28-6 home win over Leigh Leopards. Jai Field has been restored to the Wigan Warriors squad for this weekend’s Super League trip to Leeds. The Australian was rested for the midweek victory over Leigh in the ‘Battle of the Borough’, but looks set to regain his full-back berth with Wigan looking to cement their position on top of the table.

Rhinos’ 21-man squad is: Lachie Miller, David Fusitu’a, Harry Newman, Paul Momirovski, Ash Handley, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Andy Ackers, James Bentley, Rhyse Martin, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, James McDonnell, Justin Sangare, Mickael Goudemand, Jack Sinfield, James Donaldson, Corey Johsnon, Alfie Edgell, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Ben Littlewood.

Warriors’ 21 is: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Ryan Hampshire, Zach Eckersley, Jacob Douglas, Jack Farrimond.