Leeds Rhinos announce new captain for friendly against Bradford

Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar has confirmed that there will be a new captain on the field this weekend as they take on Bradford Bulls at Odsal.

Agar has confirmed that both Liam Sutcliffe and Jack Walker will return from their long lay-offs with injury, with the former set to captain the side.

Sutcliffe himself has acknowledged just how long it has been out of the game, but cannot wait to get back out onto the field.

“It’s been a long process with rehab and I’m loving being back out there with the boys,” Sutcliffe told the club’s Youtube channel.

“It’s been a long time, it was July last year and I’ve been itching for game time.”

The injury to the Leeds utility man had been causing issues for a while before the club decided to operate.

“It feels great now, I think it started in 2020 when lockdown started and I’ve had a fe problems here and there, but it’s been pretty smooth since I’ve come back.

“You have your ups and downs but I’m ready for a game now.”

It will be the first time that Sutcliffe has played Bradford since 2019, but he has fond memories of Leeds’ arch-rivals – especially having played for the Bulls eight years ago on-loan.

“Every time you play Bradford it is great and everyone always says they miss the derby.

“I loved it at Odsal, I played four games in 2014 and the lads were great – the likes of James Donaldson, Alex Mellor and Luke Gale were there then.

“It’s a good ground, I don’t know what it will be like since i last played in 2019.

“It’s always cold in winter but it will be a good game, I just want to get into the rhythm of things.”