Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity squad news with 6 missing for hosts

Both sides will introduce some new faces when Wakefield Trinity visit Leeds Rhinos in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge on Boxing Day.

Trinity, who are preparing for their return to Betfred Super League after a season in the Championship, have named a 22-man provisional squad, including seven off-season recruits.

Centre Corey Hall is poised to face his former club, alongside another signing from Hull KR, forward Matty Storton.

The ex-Hull FC duo of three-quarter Cam Scott and stand-off Jake Trueman are also included, as are half-back Olly Russell (from Huddersfield Giants), back-rower Seth Nikotemo (Gold Coast Titans) and full-back Josh Rourke (London Broncos).

Rhinos’ five off-season additions are all in the hosts’ 25-man squad, including Ryan Hall who will make his first Leeds appearance since 2018 following his move from Hull KR. Ex-Parramatta Eels star Maika Sivo is on the other wing, Keenan Palasia (Gold Coast) at prop and Cooper Jenkins (Norths Devils) on the bench.

Former Huddersfield Giants back Jake Connor was due to start in the centre, but will instead be at full-back in place of Alfie Edgell who suffered a fractured jaw in training last weekend.

Harry Newman, originally among the substitutes, will be one centre with Ash Handley, returning from a wrist injury in the other. Teenager Joe Diskin has been drafted in among the substitutes.

Prop Tom Holroyd makes his comeback following a long-term concussion off the bench, alongside teenagers Presley Cassell, Jack Smith and Jacob Stead who could feature after impressing in training with the first team.

The hosts are without full-back Lachie Miller, centre Ned McCormack, half-back Fergus McCormack and forward Ben Littlewood due to hamstring injuries, plus second-row Morgan Gannon (Achilles).

Leeds Rhinos: Connor, Sivo, Handley, Newman, R Hall, B Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers, Palasia, Bentley, McDonnell, C Smith. Subs O’Connor, Lisone, J Smith, Jenkins, J Sinfield, Nicholson-Watton, Lumb, Warren, Cassell, Stead, Holroyd, Diskin.

Wakefield Trinity: Walmsley, Scott, C Hall, Trueman, O Russell, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Uele, Storton, Vagana, Lino, Cozza, Rourke, J Croft, Shaw, H Smith, Booth, Lingard, Staveley-Carr, Delaney, D Sinfield, Stephenson.

Referee: Tom Grant (Leeds).