Leeds suffer yet another devastating blow as key man ruled out

Leeds Rhinos are having to do it tough with stand-in captain Matt Prior set for a period of time out due to COVID-19.

The veteran Aussie had been set to take the captain’s armband in Leeds’ clash against Castleford at Headingley, but he backs out with Bodene Thompson taking his place.

Prior – who recently signed a new two-year deal at Headingley having impressed greatly in his first stint at the club – has played 24 games for the Rhinos so far, scoring one try.

However, the news is yet another blow for Richard Agar’s side, with Mikolaj Oledzki ruled out indefinitely following a foot injury sustained in Leeds’ narrow loss to Warrington last Monday.

Agar is, however, hoping to welcome back young fullback Jack Walker in the next month or so as he keeps up his rehab.

The news means that the Rhinos don’t have any first-choice props available, with fixtures coming thick and fast.