Leeds Rhinos have travelled to France to take on Catalans Dragons and the team news has confirmed both sides to miss their senior stars.
For Leeds Rhinos, they’re without winger Ryan Hall who did not travel despite being named in the 21-man squad. The all-time Super League leading try-scorer has a rib injury that is not believed to be serious with the veteran in line to return for the Challenge Cup.
As a result of his absence, new signing Ethan Clark-Wood will debut on the wing with Ash Handley retaining his centre spot despite the fact that both men have primarily played in the opposite positions.
Clark-Wood was signed by Leeds after the RFL gave them quota dispensation following the season-ending injury to Maika Sivo.
Leeds also have both Brodie Croft and Matt Frawley back in the halves and that sees Jack Sinfield drop to the bench whilst last week’s stand-in playmaker Morgan Gannon moves back into the pack, with James Bentley moving to loose forward.
Jarrod O’Connor will make his 100th Rhinos appearances off the bench with Sam Lisone, Cooper Jenkins and the aforementioned Sinfield joining him.
Leeds Rhinos XIII: Jake Connor, Riley Lumb, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ethan Clark-Wood, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Keenan Palasia, Morgan Gannon, James McDonnell, James Bentley
Interchanges: Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Cooper Jenkins, Jack Sinfield
As for Catalans, they have seen Sam Tomkins miss out despite the two-time Man of Steel winner being named in the Dragons’ squad for the first time since the Challenge Cup when he picked up his hamstring injury.
Theo Fages returns meaning that Reimis Smith, who had deputised last week, steps back into the centres and that sees Arthur Romano miss out as he is named 18th man.
Arthur Mourgue also returns at full-back after Cesar Rouge dropped out of the 21-man squad along with Bayley Sironen and Jordan Dezaria.
Catalans Dragons XIII: Arthur Mourgue, Tommy Makinson, Matthieu Laguerre, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Theo Fages, Teviuta Pangai Jr, Benjamin Garcia, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Elliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington
Interchanges: Alrix Da Costa, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Paul Seguier
The sides are in for Saturday evening @Betfred #SuperLeague 😤@DragonsOfficiel host @LeedsRhinos live on @SkySports+ and SuperLeague+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/uRVVcrhLO9
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 8, 2025
