Leeds Rhinos v St Helens team news as key man returns and half-back dealt injury blow

Both coaches have named a changed 21-man squad for Friday’s huge four-pointer between Leeds Rhinos and visitors St Helens.

Leeds boss Brad Arthur has made two alterations, while opposite number Paul Wellens has announced one ahead of the third versus fifth Super League showdown..

Leeds haven’t beaten Saints since a Super-eights clash in August, 2017, the season they went on to win their eighth Grand Final.

Saints won 18-4 when the sides met three weeks ago and also beat Rhinos in a Challenge Cup tie earlier in the campaign, though Leeds achieved a rare win – only their second in 22 meetings – at Magic Weekend two months ago.

Rhinos are without prop Tom Holroyd who is serving a one-match ban imposed following a grade B head contact offence in last Sunday’s 14-8 win at Hull KR, when he was among their substitutes.

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Half-back Jack Sinfield, who was the unused 18th man, is also ruled out after picking up an injury playing in the reserves game which followed the Betfred Super League fixture.

Twenty-year-old forward Ben Littlewood has been drafted into Rhinos’ 21 for the first time this year.

The Leeds academy product made one substitute appearance in 2024 and has recently returned to fitness after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in pre-season. Australian outside-back Ethan Clark-Wood is the other player called up.

Saints are without Deon Cross, who didn’t play in last weekend’s 13-6 win at Hull FC because of a foot injury. His place in the 21 is taken by Mark Percival.

Leeds Rhinos v St Helens squads

Rhinos’ 21-man squad is: Lachie Miller, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Keenan Palasia, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Alfie Edgell, Riley Lumb, Ben Littlewood, Ethan Clark-Wood, Kallum Watkins, Presley Cassell.

Saints’ initial squad is: Kyle Feldt, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles, Moses Mbye, Matt Whitley, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney, Noah Stephens, Jake Burns, Harry Robertson, George Whitby, Owen Dagnall, Jake Davies.