Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos team news as eight ruled out

Hull KR can’t win the League Leaders’ Shield but there’s still plenty to play for at Craven Park when they take on Leeds Rhinos this evening.

The Robins need to avoid defeat in order to keep Warrington Wolves at bay and hold onto their top two spot, which would put them just 80 minutes from an outing at Old Trafford. Defeat against Leeds, though, and they could find themselves facing up to the reality of having to play next week in a play-off eliminator.

Leeds Rhinos desperately need the result, too. Brad Arthur’s side were blown away last week by Wigan Warriors and they know that even if they do pick up the points in east Hull, it might not be enough with their placing dependant on what happens in the meeting between Leigh Leopards and St Helens and potentially Saturday’s clash between Hull FC and Catalans Dragons, too.

Simply put, the Rhinos can only do what they can do, but their fate is out of their hands at this stage of the competition.

Ahead of the game, here’s a look at the team news.

Hull KR team news

Willie Peters has made three enforced changes to his squad this week for the visit of Leeds. Elliot Minchella’s much publicised two-game ban rules him out of contention, with an appeal hearing set to be held next week.

Niall Evalds drops out due to the concussion injury he collected last time out at Leigh, while Kelepi Tanginoa is struggling with a hamstring problem. Rovers have been boosted by the return of Jai Whitbread, though, with the forward serving a one-game ban last time out.

Leeds Rhinos team news

Arthur has made just one change to his squad this week and it isn’t thought to be enforced, with Luis Roberts coming in for the out of favour Mickael Goudemand.

A total of five players have been ruled out through injury though. Ash Handley and Lachie Miller are arguably the most high profile absentees, with the former undergoing surgery on a hand problem, while the latter has been struggling with a hamstring complaint.

Morgan Gannon and Tom Holroyd remain on the sidelines for concussion related reasons, while youngster Ned McCormack has a hamstring issue.