How Leeds Rhinos could line-up vs Wests Warriors with Brad Arthur to make key decisions

Leeds Rhinos won’t be holding back when non-league Wests Warriors visit ATM Headingley in the Challenge Cup third round on Saturday.

Coach Brad Arthur has named a strong initial 21-man squad, including seven England internationals, to face the London-based amateurs who compete in the fourth-tier Southern Conference.

Only four of Rhinos’ top-20 players are not in contention, though a couple of rookies – Toby Warren and Jack Smith – could come in for their debut. Here’s how we think Rhinos could line up.

Full-back: Jake Connor.

The new signing will make his competitive full debut in his favourite position, but with another full-back in the squad he might not be risked for the full game.

Wing: Riley Lumb.

The 20-year-old rookie will get first dibs on the wing vacancy created by Maika Sivo’s season-long injury.

Centre: Ash Handley.

Coach Brad Arthur has confirmed Handley will continue at centre this season, despite winger Sivo’s injury.

Centre: Harry Newman.

Could be rested if Brad Arthur decides to give rookie Jack Smith a debut, but likely to get some game time.

Wing: Ryan Hall.

Another who could be rested to give Jack Smith a go, but the veteran is the only experienced winger in Leeds’ 21.

Stand-off: Brodie Croft.

The former Man of Steel could be rested, with Jack Sinfield starting, but indications are he will get some game time to work on combinations in the pivots.

Scrum-half: Matt Frawley.

Could also be rested to give Jack Sinfield a start, but if Leeds are starting with their best-available 13, Frawley is included.

Prop: Tom Holroyd.

Arthur has said Mikolaj Oledzki won’t be in the 17, so it’s a good opportunity for Holroyd to start as he continues his return from long-term injury.

Hooker: Andy Ackers.

The only specialist hooker in Rhinos’ 21 so presumably will start, though Jack Sinfield has done some work there and is another option.

Prop: Keenan Palasia.

Still new to the club, so it’s an opportunity for more game time and a competitive debut.

Second-row: Morgan Gannon.

Set to make his competitive return after concussion kept him out of the whole 2024 campaign.

Second-row: James McDonnell.

Rhinos are low on second-rowers, particularly with James Bentley rested and the ex-Wigan man is a growing influence in their pack.

Loose-forward: Cameron Smith.

Though Tom Nicholson-Watton could slot in there, the co-captain is Leeds’ only experienced 13 and likely to start.

Sub: Jack Sinfield.

Could cover hooker as well as in the halves and is a goal kicker, so likely to get lengthy game time.

Sub: Alfie Edgell.

Arthur has confirmed the full-back/winger will make his return from a broken jaw off the bench.

Sub: Cooper Jenkins.

Took an early head knock in Leeds Rhinos’ final pre-season match, so the new signing will want some minutes under his belt.

Sub: Sam Lisone

The big prop is a candidate to be rested – as a kindness to Wests, if nothing else – but Arthur may want him to get some minutes under his belt before the league season begins next week.