Leeds Rhinos host Warrington Wolves on Sunday afternoon in what is undoubtedly one of the games of the Super League season so far.
The Wolves travel to Headingley with a 100 per cent record, having won all six of their competitive games this year and they’ll be looking to claim another big scalp as they bid to keep the pressure up on league leaders’ Wigan Warriors.
Leeds, on the other hand, will be reeling after successive losses to Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC. The Rhinos showed what they are capable of in Las Vegas, thumping last season’s treble winners Hull KR and they’ll be eager to bounce back in a fixture that marks Super League’s 30th anniversary.
As such, the stage is set for an intriguing round six contest as the two sides battle it out for what would be a huge two points.
The squads will be confirmed on Friday afternoon, but here’s a look at the early team news.
Leeds Rhinos team news
Leeds are in a good spot physically and they approach this week’s game with just three men known to be missing. Max Simpson had hoped to kick on this season and establish himself as the rightful heir to Harry Newman’s centre spot, but an ACL injury ensures he will miss the full season at least.
Alfie Edgell is also out with a knee injury, while George Brown was ruled out for five months last week with a serious knee issue of his own.
Leeds escaped any obvious issues last week at Hull and while Arthur could be tempted to make changes, it doesn’t look like they’ll be forced.
Warrington Wolves team news
Warrington look set to be without five players this week as it stands, with Sam Burgess confirming that those who played against Castleford Tigers last week came through unscathed.
Cai Taylor-Wray is arguably the biggest loss, with the first choice full-back set to sit out for another couple of weeks with a hamstring issue.
Toafofoa Sipley has knee and calf issues, ruling him out of the contest, while Oli Leyland and Arron Lindop are both recovering from ruptured ACLs. Adam Holroyd continues to sit on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
There could be a change to come in the halves, but that isn’t down to fitness, with Burgess simply having a choice between Ewan Irwin and Marc Sneyd at scrum-half.
Luke Robinson sacked, Hull KR struggling and why it could actually be Warrington Wolves’ year? – click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
