It’s been a busy week for both Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards with the news that Blake Austin has departed Headingley, and then the arrival of ex Wigan Warriors centre Oliver Gildart at the Leigh Sports Village, not to mention the huge contract extension for Lachlan Lam.
The two teams are now set to meet on Sunday and with plenty of curiosity surrounding how they will both line up given that Leeds have lost one of their first choice halves in Austin, whilst the Leopards will travel to Wembley just six days after their clash with the Rhinos.
As evidenced by Hull KR’s squad in which Willie Peters made thirteen changes with the promise of six debuts, the week before Wembley is not a time when you want your stars to pick up injuries.
As such Adrian Lam was asked if he would follow a similar tactic to Hull KR and rest some of his stars.
He told the Leopards Youtube Channel: “We can’t afford to take our eyes off that ladder on the Super League. So you know, the preparation has been set all year, and the players know this, that we’ve got to pick our strongest team moving forward for this week.
“Maybe one or two players may be rested that have niggles and that’s a decision that we’ll make on captain’s run, but it’s business as usual for us.”
He also stated that new signing Oliver Gildart could be in line for a debut and that he’d be within the squad, something that has been confirmed with Adrian Lam sticking to his philosophy and going full strength against the Rhinos.
Your 21 Man Squad for The Leopards trip to @leedsrhinos this Sunday! 🐆#betheroar #leythers pic.twitter.com/GnqUmXt89V
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) August 4, 2023
As for the Rhinos there’s a lack of bodies throughout the spine given Austin’s departure and Rohan Smith confirming yesterday that Richie Myler will be out for six to ten weeks with a foot injury.
Leeds are also without David Fusitu’a who left the game against St Helens early with a failed HIA, and therefore is undergoing concussion protocol.
Smith looks to youth with Jack Sinfield and Alfied Edgell named in the squad, with potential for Sinfield or Morgan Gannon to feature in the halves.
Rohan Smith names his 21 man squad to face Leigh
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#YourFutureOurPassion pic.twitter.com/BpESB5ehfH— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) August 4, 2023
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