Leeds Rhinos star ruled out for three months

Leeds Rhinos managed to back up their win over Hull FC with a 46-8 victory over London Broncos, the Rhinos landing consecutive wins for just the second time this season.

Fans were able to celebrate post-match given the resounding manner of victory, something that they didn’t get last week against Hull FC as they chanted demanding ‘Rohan out’, however, pre-match they were informed of more injury news.

Leeds Rhinos have been plagued by injuries this season and there has been a concerning number of head-related injuries with players such as Morgan Gannon, Tom Holroyd and James Bentley all missing extended periods after failing HIA’s.

Before the game last night, James Bentley took to the field to address the Headingley crowd where he revealed that it will be three months before he returns to the fray.

That marks a huge blow for Rohan Smith who is already light on forwards and he’ll now be without the Irish international until the end of July.

It was also revealed that Tom Holroyd will remain sidelined for another two to three weeks, whilst Smith had previously explained that Morgan Gannon is another long-term absentee.

Leeds Rhinos star signing added to injury list

Previously, it had been confirmed that James Bentley was out indefinitely but last night’s on-field speech has provided a timeline at least, even if it is longer than some may have hoped.

Rohan Smith had told BBC Radio Leeds that Bentley was awaiting a consultation, adding: “He could be another couple of weeks, or he could be longer than that. We’re trying not to reserve judgement until we know and until the consultant gives us the direction on that one.

“James is in decent health but he’s not able to crank up the training load as yet. He’s in good spirits, staying positive and hoping that we can turn a corner with it and get back to full training sometime soon.”

Bentley’s absence will be a blow for Leeds Rhinos and the injury concerns don’t stop there as star signing Brodie Croft was added to the injury list after last night’s win over London.

Croft had partnered Jack Sinfield in the halves and scored a brilliant try but limped off and Rohan Smith explained to the media post-match the prognosis.

“Brodie had some tightness in his groin. Let’s see, let’s hope it’s more precautionary that we made that choice than anything too significant,” Smith explained.

There was also an early injury to wing sensation Riley Lumb, the teenager having scored a brace on debut last week but leaving the field after just one carry last night.

Smith explained that Lumb had suffered a hamstring injury: “Some of the hamstring injuries we’ve had over our time last couple of years, some of the less painful ones are the longer term ones so I’m hopeful that this is a reverse of that.”

Hopefully for Leeds Rhinos, neither man will be out too long as they’re already without players such as Harry Newman, David Fusitu’a and Paul Momirovski, as well as the aforementioned Bentley, Holroyd and Gannon.