Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur has named a remarkably strong squad for Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash with non-league Wests Warriors.
Arthur was expected to leave out some of his big names against the Southern Conference minnows, but has included seven players who have been capped by England – plus two Samoa internationals – in his initial 21.
The coach’s hand has been largely forced by injuries, which have left Rhinos down to just 21 available players in their full-time group.
Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo and Jarrod O’Connor are ruled out through injury and James Bentley is rested, but every other player with a number from one-20 is included, with 19-year-old three-quarter Jack Smith and second-rower Toby Warren, 21, in contention for their debut.
Both are members of the full-time roster and will be awarded a squad number if they come into the matchday 18.
Arthur has confirmed full-back/winger Alfie Edgell will be among the substitutes as he returns from a broken jaw suffered in training just before Christmas.
“Alfie is going to play off the bench this week, which is good,” Arthur said. “He worked hard in pre-season and it was a shame when he got that injury.”
The coach added: “We are only leaving a couple out, Mikolaj Oledzki [who is in the 21, but won’t play] and James Bentley. Everyone else [who is fit] is in. At the moment we’ve only got 21 to choose from anyway.”
Rookie Riley Lumb will get a chance to stake his claim for a Super League wing spot after Sivo was ruled out for the entire campaign with knee ligament damage.
“Riley will start this week and he gets the first opportunity,” Arthur stated. “We will give the kids a go.
“We’ve got Alfie [Edgell] as well and there may be an opportunity to bring someone in as well. We are looking at that.
“We haven’t rushed into any decision we’ve made along the way, Leeds have been patient with it all, so if the right person comes along who can help us, we’ll look at it.”
Second-rower Morgan Gannon is set for his competitive comeback after missing the whole of last season because of concussion.
Leeds Rhinos’ 21-man squad is: Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Milolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Keenan Palasia, James McDonnell, Cameron Smith, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Tom Holroyd, Jack Sinfield, Alfie Edgell, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Riley Lumb, Jack Smith, Toby Warren.
Brad Arthur has named his 21 man squad to take on @wests_warriors
in the @TheChallengeCup this Saturday at AMT Headingley with Keenan Palasia, Cooper Jenkins and Jake Connor set for their official debuts and Harry Newman looking to make his 100th appearance for the club— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 6, 2025
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