Leeds Rhinos will be without one of their starters on Boxing Day after a young star required surgery following an injury.
Young full-back Alfie Edgell, who has been named as the starter for Boxing Day, is now set for a period on the sidelines after suffering an injury in training.
Edgell had been slated to start in the number one shirt given that presumed starter Lachie Miller is out injured, however, Brad Arthur’s plans will now have to change.
The Rhinos confirmed the news of Edgell’s injury via a club statement, explaining: “Young Leeds Rhinos full-back Alfie Edgell, 20, will face a period on the sidelines after suffering a jaw injury in training.
“Edgell, who was due to start for the Rhinos in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge on Boxing Day against Wakefield, suffered the injury during training on Friday and had surgery on Saturday to fix the fracture to his jaw.”
Leeds Rhinos full-back undergoes surgery in huge blow
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
The 20-year-old had a breakout year in 2024, playing 15 times and scoring six times in Super League. Many of those games came on the wing, including a four-try display against Hull FC in early September.
Edgell had debuted in 2023 but would play just twice that season but after his impressive 2024, he was expected to kick on further in the New Year.
Sadly that won’t be the case now with the club confirming that the jaw injury he suffered in training has required surgery – leading to an undetermined period on the sidelines.
Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director Ian Blease said: “First and foremost we are really disappointed for Alfie. He has trained incredibly well during pre-season and we were all looking forward to seeing him start at full back on Boxing Day.
“It was a freakish accident in training and our medical staff have looked after Alfie, thankfully he was able to have surgery on Saturday to get the healing process started. At this stage, we are not certain on how long he will be sidelined for.
“I am sure he will come back from this set back and pick up where he has left off and we all wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.”
The huge blow for Edgell could provide an opportunity for another youngster such as Riley Lumb, or see Ash Handley move to full-back and Harry Newman start at centre after having been initially named on the bench.
