Brad Arthur and Sean O’Loughlin have named near full strength sides for this afternoon’s friendly between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors at Headingley. With less than three weeks to go, both sides will be keen to impress in the clash that serves as Ash Handley’s testimonial fixture.
All five of Leeds‘ off-season signings will be involved against the Cherry and Whites with Jake Connor, Maika Sivo, Ryan Hall and Keenan Palasia getting the nod to start, while Cooper Jenkins is named on the bench.
Handley starts, of course, with the co-captain taking up the centre spot, where he is expected to feature this season. Morgan Gannon is picked to start, too, in what will be his first outing in a year after being stood down for the 2024 campaign.
O’Loughlin, who will be taking charge of the Warriors while Matt Peet focuses on other areas of the game, has named a strong line up, too, with Jai Field, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell among those getting a run out. Zach Eckersley starts in Abbas Miski’s absence, while Tyler Dupree will feature from the start, too, with Ethan Havard not included either.
New signing George Hirst is on the bench after getting a first run out for the club last week at Oldham.
Leeds Rhinos: Jake Connor; Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall; Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley; Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Keenan Palasia; James Bentley, Morgan Gannon, Cameron Smith.
Bench: James McDonnell, Sam Lisone, Jack Smith, Cooper Jenkins, Jack Sinfield, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Riley Lumb, Joe Diskin, Toby Warren, George Brown, Harley Thomas, Tom Holroyd,
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith; Tyler Dupree, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Bench: Patrick Mago, Liam Byrne, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Tom Forber, Jack Farrimond, Jacob Douglas, Harvey Makin, Taylor Kerr, Noah Hodkinson, George Hirst, Josh Cartwright, Finley Yeomans.
