Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC team news as Rhinos welcome back key trio

Brad Arthur’s Leeds Rhinos take on John Cartwright’s Hull FC on Friday night and the team news for both sides is now in.

Both sides have had a week off after their differing Magic Weekends with Leeds Rhinos capping off Saturday with a win over St Helens before Hull FC fell to Huddersfield in Sunday’s opener.

That marked the first win of the Super League season for Huddersfield and certainly confirmed the end of the honeymoon period of John Cartwright’s time in charge of Hull FC.

The results also saw Leeds leapfrog the Black and Whites with the Rhinos now sat in fourth and hoping to kick on, whereas Hull FC are looking to end their three-game losing streak.

Spirits will be high at Headingley on Friday night in light of that form and also the announcement that the Rhinos will head to Las Vegas in 2026 to take on Hull KR.

Leeds Rhinos team news

Leeds Rhinos have been boosted by the return of three key men this week with Cameron Smith, Brodie Croft and Ryan Hall all being fit enough to be involved.

Smith has sat out of Leeds’ last nine games due an ankle injury and given his status of co-captain, it’s clear that his presence comes as a boost. The return of Croft, who has been struggling with a hamstring issue, could also be key for the Rhinos, even if it means Brad Arthur now has something of a selection headache in the pivots.

Ryan Hall limped out of the loss to Hull KR with an ankle injury but he can expect to start against the Black and Whites if fit enough. The club also note that Andy Ackers is on the verge of a return but wasn’t deemed ready to be involved this week.

Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Lachie Miller, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Keenan Palasia, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Tom Holroyd, Jack Sinfield, Alfie Edgell, Riley Lumb, Kallum Watkins.

Hull FC team news

The return of Brad Fash is the big news for Hull FC as the Black and Whites begin to get some of their missing forwards back. The Black and Whites are still without any of their recognised back-rowers, but the return of Fash, who has been asked to play in the position on a number of occasions this season comes as a boost.

Fash has been struggling with a calf injury but should play if he is deemed fit enough. Young half-back Jack Charles is the other man to step into the fray this weekend with the youngster returning from injury a number of weeks ago.

Matty Laidlaw and Will Kirby are the two names to drop out of the fold for John Cartwright.
Hull FC 21-man squad: Jordan Rapana, Harvey Barron, Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, Tom Briscoe, Will Pryce, Aidan Sezer, Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, John Asiata, Cade Cust, Yusuf Aydin, Jack Ashworth, Brad Fash, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Logan Moy, Jack Charles, Denive Balmforth, Sam Eseh, Liam Knight.