Leeds Rhinos are without nine first-team squad members for Friday’s Super League opener against Leigh Leopards, so how might they line up?
Brad Arthur has named his 21-man squad and spoken to the media today, confirming the club’s injury crisis with reigning Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor the latest to go down.
Rested before the Widnes game due to the DCBL Stadium’s artificial turf, Connor has since picked up a knock in training, meaning he joins the pre-existing casualty list that features Mikolaj Oledzki (ribs) and Cameron Smith (groin), both of whom sustained injuries in that win.
Maika Sivo is in the final stages of recovering from last year’s ACL whilst Ash Handley (groin) and Keenan Palasia are also close but ultimately missed out. The remaining three who are out with injury are Alfie Edgell (thigh), Jeremiah Mata’utia (knee) and Max Simpson (ACL), leaving slim pickings for Arthur’s squad.
James McDonnell has made a speedy recovery from his ankle injury and could play for Leeds this week whilst George Brown is expected to make his Super League debut for the Rhinos, having performed well at full-back in the cup this past weekend.
Based on Brad Arthur’s 21-man squad, we’ve predicted how Leeds Rhinos could line up on Friday night when they take on Adrian Lam’s Leigh Leopards.
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How Leeds Rhinos could line up against Leigh Leopards
Full-back: Lachie Miller
Rested for the tie against Widnes, Miller will be a focal point of the Leeds attack in this game and all season long, particularly if fast rucks are adhered to.
Wingers: Riley Lumb and Ryan Hall
With Sivo and Edgell out and Chris Hankinson forced inside to centre, there’s not much choice bar this pair on the wing. That said, they’re a strong duo with Lumb impressing early in 2025 and Hall still making an impact at the age of 38.
Centres: Harry Newman and Chris Hankinson
Chris Hankinson returns from a broken nose to partner NRL-bound Harry Newman with Ned McCormack another possible option in this role.
Halves: Brodie Croft and George Brown
George Brown debuted at full-back on Saturday but he is a natural half and he’ll play alongside the experienced Brodie Croft on Friday night.
Hooker: Jarrod O’Connor
Brad Arthur has two great hookers to choose from but with so many forwards out, he may opt to start with the harder-hitting Jarrod O’Connor to try establish a foothold in the game.
Props: Tom Holroyd and Cooper Jenkins
Mikolaj Oledzki’s injury will likely see Cooper Jenkins start alongside Tom Holroyd with this pair tasked with handling Robbie Mulhern and Joe Ofahengaue.
Second-rowers: Ethan O’Neill and James McDonnell
If James McDonnell can make it through training then he’s in line to return and that’s much-needed given the injuries in the pack. He could start alongside Ethan O’Neill who plays his former club.
Loose forward: Kallum Watkins
With Keenan Palasia and Cameron Smith out, Kallum Watkins could make the familiar switch to loose forward.
Interchange: Danny Levi, Presley Cassell, Ben Littlewood, Tom Nicholson-Watton
Danny Levi will rotate with Jarrod O’Connor and beyond that, it’s effectively the most experienced forwards that Brad Arthur has available. Presley Cassell is a special talent and both Ben Littlewood and Tom Nicholson-Watton have earned rave reviews in pre-season. Now is their chance to seize.
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SQUAD NEWS | Our 21-man squad is locked in to take on @LeighLeopardsRL 👊
✅Lachie Miller, James McDonnell & Chris Hankinson all return to the squad after missing last week’s cup clashMORE ➡️ https://t.co/45D9rE6MAc pic.twitter.com/v9gfDtbFE3
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 11, 2026
