Huddersfield Giants will look to bounce back from their heavy loss to Wakefield Trinity when they host Leeds Rhinos on Thursday night, with the team news for the fixture now confirmed.
Luke Robinson’s side lacked any direction from the get go as Wakefield dominated them physically and prevented the Giants from getting a foothold in the game.
One of the key reasons why Huddersfield couldn’t earn that foothold was the lack of an established spine, something the club have struggled with all year, but particularly it was the loss of Oliver Russell with the half-back unable to face parent club Wakefield.
He’s back this week but whether his addition is enough to stop a Leeds Rhinos side gaining huge momentum and fresh off the back of a 34-0 win is another matter.
Leeds looked in control for the full 80 minutes against Hull FC but a ruthless 15-period in the first half saw them rack up 24 points and kill the game off, highlighting their status among Super League’s best at the moment.
Huddersfield Giants team news
Both teams saw players suspended after the Round 24 games and for Huddersfield it was repeat offender Taane Milne who copped a ban, charged with Grade A head contact as his previous penalty points ensured a ban.
A number of other key players miss out including Oliver Wilson, Matty English and captain Leroy Cudjoe as Luke Robinson looks to the academy to replace his senior stars.
Loanee Oliver Russell returns whilst Jacob Algar and Archie Sykes are named with Aidan McGowan also making a return to the squad.
Huddersfield Giants 21-man squad: Jacob Gagai, Jake Bibby, Sam Halsall, Zac Woolford, Tom Burgess, Harry Rushton, Ashton Golding, George King, Joe Greenwood, Fenton Rogers, Tristan Powell, Aidan McGowan, Jack Billington, Kieran Rush, George Flanagan, Jacob Algar, Archie Sykes, Oliver Russell, Marshall Land, Logan Blacker, Leo Ward
👊 Rivals Round squad is in.
🔗 https://t.co/WkbKrH6rqE#Since1895 pic.twitter.com/O5NoJ9xOpl
— Huddersfield Giants 🐮🔔 (@Giantsrl) September 2, 2025
Leeds Rhinos team news
It was Joe Shorrocks who Leeds had banned with the loose forward also punished for his previous misdemeanors as his Grade C charge, only worth five points, took him all the way to 15.5 points and a two-match ban.
Ironically, the bulk of his disciplinary points came as a Salford player for a high shot on Leeds Rhinos’ Brodie Croft, and he now faces the consequences with his two-match ban.
Centre Max Simpson made his first appearance in three years on Saturday but ended up stretchered off, however, the club confirmed the 21-year-old to be released from hospital in good health. He is not named to the squad though as he goes through the return to play concussion protocols.
Keenan Palasia also missed last week’s game and he again misses out so Ned McCormack, Riley Lumb and academy product Zak Lloyd replace the pair and Shorrocks, with Lloyd named to a 21-man squad for the first time.
Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Lachie Miller, Harry Newman, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Jack Sinfield, Riley Lumb, Ben Littlewood, Ned McCormack, Kallum Watkins, Presley Cassell, Chris Hankinson, Zak Lloyd
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has made three changes to his 21 man squad for this Thursday’s trip to Huddersfield Giants.
More https://t.co/bblP4yV4Nj pic.twitter.com/dYIlwtmzLJ— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) September 2, 2025
