Leeds Rhinos dealt cruel double injury blow ahead of semi-final

Leeds Rhinos will be without Ash Handley and Jack Bird on Friday night when they take on Warrington Wolves, with the centre pair joining full-back Lachie Miller on the unavailable list.

Handley had been drafted in to play full-back after Miller’s injury, thus making Bird one of only two senior specialist centres, however, Serious About Rugby League’s sister site The Yorkshire Evening Post have confirmed that both Handley and Bird are out of Friday’s game.

In fact, the pair are likely out for the season with Handley requiring surgery on a back problem, whereas Bird has suffered a hamstring injury.

It was a hamstring injury that befell star full-back Lachie Miller with the Australian pulling up in the loss to Wigan Warriors, something that forced a reshuffle for Brad Arthur with Ash Handley named as the full-back for the game against Hull FC.

Whilst Handley ate up the metres and was one of the Rhinos’ better performers, Leeds lost that match and it means they enter Friday’s home semi-final on the back of three straight home defeats.

They’re also now facing a major reshuffle in the backs with the likes of Fergie McCormack possibly set to be called upon, whilst second-row Chris Hankinson is another option for the centres.

Brad Arthur will name his 21-man squad at midday which will be the one suggestion as to who is drafted in to cover, however, he will also address the media where it’s certain that the club’s injury issues will be addressed.

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