
Both Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors have named very strong squads for their clash this weekend which serves as Ash Handley’s testimonial.
It is each team’s second game of the pre-season although Leeds’ first match came a month ago back on Boxing Day meaning it’s a much-needed hit out for Brad Arthur’s side.
The Rhinos won 18-16 that day with new signing Jake Connor starring from full-back, a position that the ex-Huddersfield man will retain for Sunday’s game at Headingley.
As for Wigan, they played just last week when assistant coach Thomas Leuluai led a team that featured experienced forwards but very young backs.
The Warriors have now named an extended 26-man squad featuring many of their star players whilst it has also been confirmed that Matt Peet will be in charge.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 3 pm and will serve as Ash Handley’s testimonial game with the Leeds Rhinos winger honoured for ten years of service. Despite being handed the squad number four for 2025, he will don the number five shirt with Ryan Hall reverting to number 25 – the shirt he debuted in.
Leeds Rhinos Team News

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Despite Handley being given the number five shirt, he will feature in the centres again as Brad Arthur names his strongest available back five of Jake Connor, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley and Ryan Hall.
Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley and Andy Ackers complete the spine whilst the forward pack is also very strong with all starting shirts bar James McDonnell set to start. McDonnell features on the bench with Morgan Gannon handed the start at second-row.
Also on the bench is signing Cooper Jenkins who forms a contingent of forwards including Sam Lisone, Tom Holroyd and Tom Nicholson-Watton.
A number of young backs also feature including Jack Sinfield and Riley Lumb whilst youngsters Joe Diskin and Harley Thomas are handed shirts one and four respectively for the game.
Leeds Rhinos Squad: 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: Joe Diskin, Harley Thomas, James McDonnell, George Brown, Sam Lisone, Cooper Jenkins, Tom Holroyd, Jack Sinfield, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Riley Lumb, Jack Smith, Toby Warren.
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has named a strong squad for this Sunday’s Ash Handley testimonial game against Wigan Warriors at AMT Headingley, kick off 3pm.
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) January 23, 2025
Wigan Warriors Team News

Credit: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
Liam Byrne was the lowest shirt number when Wigan played last week with the number 16 starting at prop, as he could do again this week, but there are plenty of first-team starters also making their pre-season bow.
Of the top 16 squad numbers, only Abbas Miski, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill and the recently retired Willie Isa do not feature which highlights the strength of Matt Peet’s side.
That means the likes of Jai Field, Bevan French, Junior Nsemba and captain Liam Farrell all feature whilst many of those who played at the weekend are also named – including the aforementioned Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley and others.
Key spine players such as Tom Forber and Jack Farrimond are named again whilst last week’s impressive Taylor Kerr could get another run out.
Wigan Warriors Squad: Jai Field, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Tom Forber, Jack Farrimond, Jacob Douglas, Harvey Makin, Noah Hodkinson, George Hirst, Josh Cartwright, Finlay Yeomans.
📋 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀
Matt Peet has named his squad for our pre-season friendly against Leeds Rhinos!
Full squad news 👉 https://t.co/mKSZnnXHC7@MatrixFitnessUK | #WWRL pic.twitter.com/WlbqafTBrZ
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 24, 2025
