Leeds Rhinos injury latest as Brad Arthur comments on Steve McNamara approach reports

Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur today insisted he is under “no pressure” to make a decision about his future at the club.

Arthur is out of contract at the end of this season and has been strongly linked with the new Perth Bears outfit who will join the southern hemisphere NRL in 2027.

Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today, Arthur said he was unaware of reports in the French media claiming Rhinos have made an offer to Steve McNamara, who was axed by Catalans Dragons this week.

“I am the coach at the moment,” the Australian former Parramatta Eels boss stressed. “I haven’t, at this stage, made a decision on what I am doing.

“Like I have said all the way through – I don’t want to keep going on about it – I’ve got two boys at home I am desperate to get home to them at some stage, but there has been no pressure to make a decision at the moment.”

Arthur confirmed he has spoken to Perth “at some stage”, but added: “I am just worried about every game as it comes, week to week.

“There’s no pressure from the club for me to make any decisions at the moment. I haven’t said I am not here next year.”

Meanwhile, two of Leeds Rhinos’ Australian imports will play in the reserves this weekend, Arthur confirmed.

Outside-back Ethan Clark-Wood and scrum-half Matt Frawley have both been named in Rhinos’ initial 21-man squad for tomorrow’s (Saturday) Super League derby at Castleford Tigers, but Arthur revealed the pair will feature for the second-string at Wigan Warriors the same afternoon.

Clark-Wood has not played since sustaining an ankle injury in a reserves game against St Helens at the end of March. His only first team appearance so far was at Catalans Dragons earlier that month.

“He has been back for a couple of weeks now, full training,” Arthur said. “There might be some opportunities for him further down the track.”

Leeds Rhinos injury setback confirmed

Clark-Wood replaced Alfie Edgell in Rhinos’ 21 and Arthur confirmed the full-back/winger is unavailable because of a shoulder injury suffered in the Super League win over St Helens at Magic Weekend three weeks ago.

“He’s probably another week away,” Arthur said of Edgell. “We’ve got next week [at home to Wakefield Trinity] and then a week off and he will probably be back after that. He is training, but he hasn’t been able to do any full contact.”

Frawley has been left out of Rhinos’ past three Super League games and will also be on second team duty.

Arthur said: “All those guys who are fit and healthy [will play in the reserves]. Andy Ackers, Alfie and Tom Nicholson-Watton are the only ones who’ve been regulars who won’t play in the reserves this week.”

Prop Nicholson-Watton could be facing a long layoff. Arthur said: “He had a stress fracture reaction in his foot so we are just waiting for a bit more news around that.

“He is going to be out for an extended period. That’s unfortunate. He is a good club person, he trains hard, does all the right things, waits for his opportunity.

“He has had limited opportunities this year so it’s a shame for him. He is one of those guys at training that works really hard to help the main team to prepare each week.”